Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Triple-Double Leads Bucks’ Rout Of Warriors

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 30-point triple-double as the Milwaukee Bucks steamrolled the Golden State Warriors 118-99 on Thursday night.

Antetokounmpo finished with 30, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in coach Mike Budenholzer return from the NBA’s Covid-19 protocols. The coach missed four games, with assistant Darvin Ham leading the team to a 1-3 record. It was Antetokounmpo’s third triple-double of the season and the 28th of his career.

“I think Coach Darvin did a great job stepping up, leading the team, coaching the team and keeping us accountable,” Antetokounmpo said. “But, obviously, it’s great to have Coach Bud back healthy, happy and getting us ready to go.”

Khris Middleton added 23 points, Bobby Portis 20, and Grayson Allen 15 in the triumph.

The final score wasn’t indicative of how close the game was. Milwaukee never trailed and led by 39 points, 77-38, at halftime.

The Bucks were two points shy of their largest halftime lead in franchise history—77-36 at the half in a 123-92 victory over Orlando on November 22, 2021.

“I think there was a good focus from us tonight,” Budenholzer said. “I think when it starts on the defensive end, usually that’s when we’re at our best. A team like the Warriors, a player like (Stephen) Curry and (Klay) Thompson, they bring out the best in you. They bring out the highest focus.”

It was the Warriors’ fourth loss in five games. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 16 points, Jonathan Kuminga had 15, Curry 12, and Thompson 11.

“We just got off to a terrible start where everything went wrong on both ends of the floor,” Curry said.

The Warriors were without Draymond Green (left calf tightness), who also missed a loss at Memphis on Tuesday and played less than a minute Sunday against the Cavs. The Bucks were without guard Jrue Holiday for a fourth straight game.

Golden State outplayed the Bucks in the second half and reduced the deficit to 18.

A Juan Toscano-Anderson three-pointer with 9:39 left in the fourth cut the deficit to 18 points, but that’s as close as the Warriors would get.

“I know we just got our butts kicked, but we’re just in a rough patch in our season,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It happens to every team, every year pretty much with very few exceptions. We’re in a little bit of a rut and we were playing a team that was ready and played a great, great first half. We’re a little out of sorts. We’ve just got to get back on track, and we will.”

The Warriors will play at Chicago on Friday, while the Bucks host Toronto on Saturday.