Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverley said that he would have poked a hole in the game ball when Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 64 points against the Indiana Pacers.
Antetokounmpo’s record night led to a lot of controversy, as the Pacers wanted to give the game ball to rookie big man Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first NBA points on Dec. 13 against Milwaukee.
Giannis was on a mission after the game ball. 😅 (via tyschrades/ig) pic.twitter.com/yPjQXf6gef
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) December 14, 2023
Giannis would’ve gotten a deflated ball if it was up to @patbev21 😭 pic.twitter.com/fdAJWhQbcV
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) December 20, 2023
“I would have poked a hole in that b—-,” Beverley said when asked about what he would have done with the game ball. “Beat me? Put 60 on me? Yeah, you can have this ball. Then I thought about it, I’d peel that that b—- like an orange.”
Antetokounmpo was seen sprinting into the locker room for the game ball after his 64-point game, as it clearly bothered him that he didn’t receive it right away for his huge night. The 64 points were not only a career high for Antetokounmpo, but a franchise record for the Bucks as well.
After the game, Antetokounmpo revealed that he did receive a ball, but he wasn’t sure if it was the actual game ball from the matchup with the Pacers.
"I have a ball but I don't know if it's the game ball. It doesn't feel like the game ball to me."
Giannis not convinced he has the real game ball 🏀 pic.twitter.com/z5mc2tGx6H
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2023
“The NBA a big a– soap opera, and I love this s—,” Beverley said.
The Bucks and Pacers play in back-to-back games on Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 of this season. There could be some bad blood between the teams after the way Antetokounmpo’s record night was handled.
A pesky defender and veteran leader, Beverley clearly doesn’t want to have to deal with someone having a big game on him like Antetokounmpo put on the Pacers. Beverley and the Philadelphia 76ers are one of the teams that is contending for a top spot in the Eastern Conference this season, so it’s possible they could run into Antetokounmpo and company in the playoffs this season.
NBA fans will want to keep an eye out if Antetokounmpo has a big game in a matchup with the Sixers, as Beverley may not be willing to just hand over the game ball if he’s true to his word.
The Bucks and Sixers have a matchup coming up on Feb. 25, and they’ll play a third time this season on March 14. Milwaukee won the first meeting between the teams, 118-117, back on Oct. 26.
