Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo was suspended one game without pay for headbutting Celtics forward Blake Griffin in Thursday’s 140-99 loss to Boston. the NBA announced on Saturday. Here’s what you should know:
- Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, was ejected and assessed with a Fragrant foul 2 for the incident with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter.
- Elder Antetokounmpo had just one goal and one assist in the match, while Griffin added four goals and one assist.
- Antetokounmpo will be suspended on Sunday when the Bucks host the 76ers.
- Milwaukee (55-22) is battling Boston (54-24) for the lead in the Eastern Conference.
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What this means for Bucks
Antetokounmpo’s brother doesn’t play very often. Thanasis has played just 138 minutes in just 33 games this season, so the Bucks’ Sunday matchup against the third-placed 76ers won’t have much of an impact, but the Bucks and Celtics will face each other again in the postseason. Chances are, this incident could ignite a postseason matchup. The Bucks and Celtics are on pace to become the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the Eastern, so a rematch will have to take place in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it’s highly anticipated considering they met in the second round. it will be a battle. round last season.
It was also the second time the Celtics had an incident with the Antetokounmpo brothers this season, with Jalen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo having a brief physical altercation with minutes remaining on the Celtics’ 139- as Thanasis and Marcus Smart had a verbal confrontation. His 118th win over the Bucks on Christmas Day. — name
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The headbutt occurred after a heavy foul by Griffin, who was seen holding his right cheek and smiling after the contact. Teammate Jaylen Brown laughed as a bystander and handed Griffin a face mask.
“I think Blake handled it well,” Celtics manager Joe Mazura said after Thursday’s game. I laughed it off a little bit, then detached myself from it and became a little bigger person.”
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(Photo: Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
