Giannis Antetokounmpo took exception to a tough foul from Chris Paul late within the fourth quarter of the Bucks’ 144-118 loss to the Spurs on Friday evening.
The 2-time NBA MVP went down whereas driving to the basket with 3:46 remaining within the recreation after the San Antonio guard appeared to shove Antetokounmpo to the court docket, setting off a scuffle beneath the basket.
After the sport, the pair appeared to alternate phrases from throughout the court docket as gamers and coaches from each groups lingered between them till effectively after the buzzer rang.
Antetokounmpo’s frustrations prolonged into his postgame interview with reporters, when he sounded off on his and Paul’s alternate.
“Those that know me, they don’t attempt me,” he informed reporters after the sport. “For those who attempt me, it’s a unique aspect. For those who attempt me, you’re gonna get that completely different aspect of me.”
Antetokounmpo known as Paul’s foul, which was reviewed for a flagrant earlier than being dominated a typical foul, “a bodily play” and acknowledged that he “was tripped or he was pushed” however nonetheless appeared to take exception to the play.
“On the finish of the day, I feel we’re all males. All of us respect each other,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “If phrases cross the road, then there’s received to be penalties. I actually don’t say a lot. I don’t say a lot to start out with, attempt to play the sport the suitable manner. If I really feel such as you’re placing my livelihood, my profession and my physique in jeopardy, at risk, sufficient is sufficient, brother. I’ve a household to feed, and what makes you snort can even make you cry typically.”
It was removed from the primary questionable foul Paul had on Antetokounmpo.
Throughout Recreation 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals between the Bucks and Suns, Paul appeared to shove Antetokounmpo as he went airborne for an alley-oop dunk, almost knocking the Bucks star to the ground.