Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Defiantly Takes a Seat With the Fans After Getting the Weakest Ejection You’ll Ever See

Ahmad Austin Jr.Nov 9th, 2023, 11:53 am
 

In response to receiving one of the most questionable ejections in recent memory, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to show up the referees on Wednesday.

In the third quarter of the Bucks’ game against the Detroit Pistons, Antetokounmpo pulled off a highlight-worthy dunk over a defender. In celebration, the 28-year-old briefly stared down his opponent, flexed, and gave a “too small” gesture with his hand as he turned around. The celebration lasted all of two seconds.

Unfortunately for Antetokounmpo, that was deemed excessive by at least one ref and he received a technical foul for the taunting. It was his second technical foul of the game, meaning he was ejected. Knowing he already had a technical foul, an incredulous Antetokounmpo looked at the refs and seemed to ask what he did wrong. The official that gave him a technical did not appear to be interested in giving him an explanation and simply pointed to the locker room despite the star’s pleas.

Then, Antetokounmpo’s body language went from shock to denial and he simply refused to leave the floor. In fact, he was so insistent on receiving an explanation from the refs that he sat in an unoccupied floor seat next to fans. The gesture received noticeable cheers from the home crowd.

When it finally set in that his night was over, Antetokounmpo was calmed down by teammates before heading to the locker room. The cheers from the crowd then became loud boos.

After the game, referee Rodney Mott explained that the technical was called due to “unsportsmanlike” taunting.

Upon closer inspection of the play, however, that seems debatable at best. After the dunk, Antetokounmpo looked at his opponent for a fraction of a second and immediately turned his head around.

The ejection nearly cost the Bucks the game, but the team weathered a late surge by the Pistons to win 120-118.

Watch above via Bally Sports

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