Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a jaw-dropping performance with a triple-double, racking up 35 points, a career-high 20 assists, and 17 rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a commanding 126-113 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
This marked the first 30-15-15 game of Antetokounmpo’s career and, according to the Bucks, the first-ever 35-20-17 game in NBA history. Milwaukee (42-34) earned its second straight victory, with six other Bucks contributing double-digit scoring efforts—Brook Lopez led the supporting cast with 17 points.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia (23-54) endured its 10th consecutive loss despite Adem Bona’s outstanding 28-point effort on an efficient 13-of-15 shooting. Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele chipped in with 24 and 22 points, respectively.
The 76ers came out strong, shooting an impressive 68 percent from the field and sinking five three-pointers in the opening quarter. Their hot start saw them take a 17-point lead and finish the first quarter up 39-25.
Milwaukee responded with a vengeance in the second quarter, opening with a 15-0 run to claim their first lead of the game. The momentum shifted back and forth until the Bucks entered halftime leading 61-59. Antetokounmpo shone with 20 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds by halftime, while Bona and Jared Butler each contributed 14 points for Philadelphia.
The Bucks extended their lead in the third quarter, capitalizing on their shooting from beyond the arc (5-of-9) to pull ahead 96-87 going into the final frame.
Philadelphia briefly closed the gap to within four points early in the fourth quarter, but the game took a dramatic turn when head coach Nick Nurse received a double technical foul and was ejected with six minutes remaining. Bucks coach Doc Rivers also left the game feeling unwell late in the first half.
Milwaukee sealed the victory as the 76ers faltered, shooting just 33 percent in the final quarter. The Bucks completed their sweep of the four-game series and secured their eighth consecutive win against Philadelphia.