In an exhilarating matchup on Thursday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo etched his name into the NBA record books by becoming the first player ever to achieve a remarkable stat line of 35 points, 17 rebounds, and a career-high 20 assists. This historic performance led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 126-113 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, showcasing Antetokounmpo's unparalleled versatility on the court.
Antetokounmpo played a pivotal role in the Bucks' offensive success, contributing to a remarkable shooting percentage of 51.6% from beyond the arc. This performance follows their stunning win against the Phoenix Suns earlier in the week, where the Bucks boasted an astonishing 68.9% field goal percentage—the highest recorded in an NBA game since 1998. Additionally, they shot 58.6% from 3-point range in that game, further emphasizing their offensive prowess.
With this latest achievement, Antetokounmpo becomes only the third player this season to record at least 30 points and 20 assists in a single game. He joins elite company, alongside fellow superstars Nikola Jokic and Trae Young, highlighting the competitive nature of the league. Moreover, he is now the third player in Bucks history to achieve at least 20 assists in a game, joining the ranks of Ramon Sessions, who had 24 assists in 2008, and Guy Rodgers, who achieved 21 assists in 1968.
In addition to Antetokounmpo's historic night, several teammates stepped up to support the Bucks' victory. Brook Lopez contributed 17 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 16 points to the scoreboard. AJ Green also made an impact by hitting four 3-pointers, totaling 12 points in the game.
In a noteworthy turn of events, Bucks coach Doc Rivers left the bench during the first half due to illness and observed the remainder of the game from the locker room, allowing assistant coach Darvin Ham to take over coaching duties. The Bucks continued to navigate their season without star player Damian Lillard, who is sidelined with a calf injury that has since been diagnosed as deep vein thrombosis. However, Rivers reported positive developments regarding Lillard's treatment, stating, "We have much more hope today than we did three days ago about him returning this season."
As the Bucks continue to push forward in the NBA season, Antetokounmpo's record-setting performance serves as a reminder of his extraordinary talent and the team's potential as they strive for success in the league.
