Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ statement win over the Milwaukee Bucks, a curious incident occurred on the court. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted to put in an extra shift at the free-throw line, but clashed with Sixers backup Montrezl Harrell and Sixers staff.
“I never meant to be disrespectful in any way,” Antetokounmpo finally clarified when commenting on the incidents more than an hour after his Bucks’ 102-110 loss. “It was just an unfortunate incident that happened today.”
Antetokounmpo (25 points, 14 rebounds) again struggled from the free throw line against the Sixers, hitting just four of his 15 attempts. On Wednesday against the Cavs, he sunk just 4/11 free throws. So the Greek decided to work on his free throws after the game on the Sixers court.
Apparently that was not well received by the hosts. After Giannis hit seven straight free throws, Harrell came off the side of the court and steal the ball from the Bucks star. “This ain’t shit Milwaukee,” Harrell said loudly The Athletic have called. The Sixers backup refused to give the ball back, even after a discussion with Thanasis Antetokounmpo – in which Harrell is said to have threatened Giannis’ older brother.
“They told me this was their court and I should go. I just wanted to throw three more free throws,” Giannis explained the situation from his point of view. “I was very surprised that they took the ball away from me. I find that very unprofessional. I would never take the ball away from a professional athlete when he’s trying to do his job.”
Antetokounmpo then got two fresh balls, but by the time he was back at the free-throw line, a Sixers employee had placed a tall ladder in the zone to take down cameras from the basket area. After a discussion between the employee and the two-time MVP Antetokounmpo pushed the ladder asideso that she fell to the ground with a crash. He then completed his free throw routine and headed back into the Bucks dressing room.
“I didn’t want to knock over the ladder,” Giannis later said. “But I don’t know if I have to apologize. I don’t feel like I did anything wrong. I think I have every right to work on my skills after a horrible evening on the free-throw line. I suppose it would everyone in my position want to do after a game like that.”
There was no official statement from the Sixers after the incident, but Harrell tweeted: “Make sure you get the full story. I asked the man if he could leave the court so I could get a workout before they had to change courts. He ignored me, you get that for it. Respect is respect.”
The Bucks and Sixers don’t meet again until March and April, both times in Milwaukee. The 2021 champion is currently second in the East with a record of 11-4, with the Sixers eighth (8-7).
