59, 50: Giannis, Wemby punch in big numbers
MILWAUKEE—Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers wasn’t sure it was a good thing that Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 22 of the team’s 24 first-quarter points on Wednesday night.
But Rivers could smile about it after Antetokounmpo finished with 59 points in the Bucks’ 127-120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. It was the highest total by any NBA player this season and five short of Antetokounmpo’s career high of 64 set last season against the Indiana Pacers.
“I’ve seen a lot of great games as a player. Sitting next to Dominique [Wilkins] you obviously see a lot of great games,” Rivers said, referring to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate. “It’s funny how a coach thinks, though. We called a timeout and Giannis has 22 of our 24. This ain’t good. I’m thinking the exact opposite. We’ve got to get somebody else involved in this.
“After the game, you realize how special this is. But during the game you’re in a panic.”
Antetokounmpo, who made 21 of 34 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists, said he is striving to find the right balance as the 4-8 (win-loss) Bucks try to dig out of an early season hole.
‘Very impressive’
He wasn’t the only big man to drop a 50-piece on Wednesday.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama set a career high with 50 points the same night in a performance that left his teammates and the opposition in awe.
Wembanyama shrugged, wondering when he would do better even as his historic night led San Antonio to a 139-130 victory over the Washington Wizards.
“Really, my first thought is, eventually I want the rest of our performances, the rest of our games to overshadow this one,” said Wembanyama, the top pick in the 2023 NBA draft. “I wish, I want to make it so that in the future it’s just another one.”
It’s the pragmatism that has enabled Wembanyama to blossom into one of the league’s youngest superstars.
“Very impressive,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said.
At 20 years and 314 days, Wembanyama is the fourth-youngest player to score 50 points, trailing only Brandon Jennings (20/52), LeBron James (20/80) and Devin Booker (20/145).
Wembanyama was 8 for 16 on three-pointers, establishing a career high after setting and tying that mark with six three-pointers in his previous two games.
The Bucks played on Wednesday without point guard Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and forward Bobby Portis because of injuries.
Antetokounmpo said he gave his teammates a brief speech before the game.
“The first year I came to the Bucks [in 2013-14], we were one of the worst teams in the NBA,” he said. “I was able to get a lot of opportunity and I was able to develop. Guys are missing right now. Instead of thinking Dame’s not here, Khris is not here, Bobby is not playing, we should be thinking Andre [Jackson] is going to play, AJ [Green] is going to play.
“Don’t take this moment for granted. All you can do is compete and you hope that your teammates follow.”
Wembanyama started quickly against the Wizards, draining three-pointers from 25 and 28 feet as the Spurs raced to a 13-3 lead.
“Probably not [played against anyone] who does everything on a high level,” Washington center Jonas Valanciunas said. “Them shots, the three-point shots, we did everything to take that away, but he still managed them.”
Wembanyama had 24 points in the first half, his highest production in a first half, and then matched his highest production for any half with 26 in the final two quarters against the Wizards.
Wembanyama is the first player in league history with 20 three-pointers and 25 blocks over a six-game span.
