Watch Giannis Antetokounmpo Giving The LA Lakers An Assist

On Saturday, Giannis Antetokounmpo went all out as the Milwaukee Bucks struggled to keep up with a formidable Los Angeles Lakers squad. The Bucks ended up getting blown out of their own gym, but after the game, Antetokounmpo found it within himself to extend a nice gesture towards the victorious team.

It all started when the Lakers attempted to leave Fiserv Forum with the game ball. Following what has become a tradition among NBA teams, the purple and gold squad wanted to give the ball to rookie Adou Thiero, who had scored his first points as an NBA player that evening.

The problem was that the referees wouldn’t allow it. Though Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt already had the ball locked in his left arm, the officials insisted on getting the ball back.

As other LA players like Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia looked on in disbelief, one referee grabbed the ball from Vanderbilt and walked away. The ref then gave the ball to a member of the Bucks personnel, along with what appeared to be instructions to keep it away from any more prying hands.

Antetokounmpo, who had seen the entire situation play out even as he took part in the Bucks’ post-game huddle, walked over to the Bucks staff member. Without saying a word, he took the ball from her and handed it to Lakers superstar Luka Dončić.

If there’s anyone who knows the value of the game ball as a memento, it’s Antetokounmpo, the same loyal teammate who confronted the Indiana Pacers in December 2023 for similar reasons. The Pacers had taken the game ball that night to honor their rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, but the Greek Freak wanted the game ball for his then-running mate Damian Lillard, who had just climbed to fifth all-time in three-pointers made.

For officials, the game ball is a piece of equipment that needs to be properly accounted for. For fans, it’s an object that they’ve seen thousands of times without giving it a second thought. Antetokounmpo, however, took a stand for the sentiments of his NBA peers by making sure that a Lakers rookie would have a souvenir of his first-ever points in the league.