Giannis Antetokounmpo returns and sparks benches after buzzer dunk in Bucks win

Giannis Antetokounmpo came backmost Saturday aft missing 8 games and the Milwaukee Bucks severely needed the lift. He scored 29 points successful 25 minutes and Milwaukee bushed the Chicago Bulls 112-103. The last moment, however, turned tense: Antetokounmpo threw down a windmill dunk astatine the buzzer, and some benches emptied arsenic Bulls players objected.

A buzzer dunk that carried a warning

Antetokounmpo said helium was trying to nonstop urgency to his ain locker room, not disrespect an opponent. “We're 11th successful the East,” Antetokounmpo said aft the win. “Got to support uncovering an identity. And if that's to get a small spot of scrappy astatine the end, truthful beryllium it. We're not champs. Why should we play the timepiece retired and person respect and just play? We're warring for our lives close now.”

Milwaukee went 2-6 during his lack and, adjacent with the win, stayed 11th successful the Eastern Conference astatine 13-19. Antetokounmpo had been retired since Dec. 3 due to the fact that of a close calf strain, and Saturday was lone his 18th crippled of the play aft earlier setbacks, including a groin wounded and what helium antecedently described arsenic a soleus strain.

The Bucks tried to negociate his return, yet helium inactive looked efficient, going 10-of-15 from the field. His beingness continues to plaything Milwaukee’s results: the squad is 10-8 erstwhile helium plays and 3-11 erstwhile helium is sidelined.

Bulls spot disrespect arsenic streak ends

Chicago’s five-game winning streak ended, and defender Coby White said the last-second dunk crossed a line. “He shouldn't person dunked the ball,” White said aft the game. “It's disrespectful to the game. I said, 'Bro, you're amended than that.' The crippled is implicit with. Why you got to bash that? It's a respect thing.”

Antetokounmpo did not backmost disconnected the bigger point. Milwaukee is chasing traction and trying to find a accordant edge, whether that shows up successful late-game execution, rebounding, oregon defense. His buzzer dunk became the awesome of a squad that believes it has nary borderline to coast, adjacent with a seven-point pb and the timepiece moving out.