Antetokounmpo Ensures Lakers Rookie Keeps Game Ball After First NBA Points
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MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped in after Saturday night’s final buzzer to make sure Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero walked away with the game ball from his first NBA scoring performance.
The Lakers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 119-95 on Nov. 16, 2025, leading by as many as 31 points. Thiero, selected No. 36 overall last June, logged his first four league points, punctuated by a late breakaway dunk.
Ball changes hands
When time expired, Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt tucked the ball under his arm, intending to give it to Thiero. Crew chief Pat Fraher intercepted him, took the ball and walked it to center court, handing it to a Bucks staffer.
Fraher told Lakers players the ball “belonged to the Bucks,” according to guard Austin Reaves. Vanderbilt said the official warned he would “write me up” for holding the ball, leaving the forward baffled: “What, was he going to take the ball home or something?”
Giannis intervenes
Seeing the exchange, Antetokounmpo retrieved the ball from the attendant and delivered it to Lakers star Luka Doncic, who later presented it to Thiero in the visitors’ locker room.
“That shows a lot of class,” Reaves said of the two-time MVP’s gesture.
The moment contrasted with a 2023 incident in the same arena, when Indiana Pacers players and Bucks personnel clashed over a game ball after Antetokounmpo’s career-high 64-point night.
Rookie’s long-awaited debut
Thiero, who missed Los Angeles’ first 13 games while recovering from left-knee surgery in April, said he initially did not realize the commotion was about him. “I’m very thankful for this team,” the 20-year-old said. “It shows how connected we are and how much we want each other to succeed.”
Road-trip wrap-up
The victory closed a 3-2 trip for the Lakers, moving them to 10-4 and fourth in the Western Conference. Los Angeles played without Marcus Smart (illness), Rui Hachimura (sore left calf) and remains without LeBron James (sciatica), who could return Tuesday against the Utah Jazz.
“Either way, I’m glad he got the ball,” Vanderbilt said. “He deserves it. That’s a big-time achievement.”
Source: ESPN
