WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo Storms Pacers Locker Room After Team Takes Game Ball — Chaos Ensues

Wednesday night’s game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers descended into chaos when it was revealed the Pacers took the game ball after a historic performance from Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks won 140-126 behind a career-high 64 points from Antetokounmpo. The milestone was also a franchise record.

Naturally, Antetokounmpo wanted the game ball as a souvenir for career night. Unfortunately for him, the Pacers — who were the away team — had already taken it back to their locker room. When he found out, he was seen furiously sprinting to their side of the arena.

Soon after, Antetokounmpo emerged from the tunnel and joined several players and coaches in a spirited conversation. The 29-year-old, still visibly upset, had some words for a coach and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported after the game that the Pacers wanted to give the ball to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first NBA point. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed this during the post-game press conference.

B/R Sources: Initial explanation from one member of Pacers to Bucks players as to why they took the game ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo: They wanted to give it to a rookie who scored his first career basket.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 14, 2023

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle on why the team tried to keep the game ball: “It was Oscar Tshiebwe’s first official NBA point…We were not thinking about Giannis’ franchise [64-point] record.” He also says a Bucks player elbowed their GM in the ribs. pic.twitter.com/iknKLN4l0w

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 14, 2023

Bucks security eventually got the ball back, but Antetokounmpo wasn’t convinced it was the actual game ball and implied the Pacers gave him a different one.

“I have a ball, but I don’t know if it’s the game ball,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like the game ball to me. It feels like a brand new ball. I can tell. I played, what, 35 minutes today? I know how the game ball felt. The ball that I have — which I’ll take and I’ll give it to my mom — I don’t know if it’s actually the game ball.

“It’s OK. Life continues. I don’t even have the game ball from — which hurts me — Game 6 in the NBA Finals. I don’t have the game ball from that either.”

The saga takes another turn. Giannis says he is not sure if the game ball he received is the actual game ball. He also reveals he doesn’t possess the Game 6 Finals game ball either.

Full answer: pic.twitter.com/dcIxc17oJr

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 14, 2023

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