The Pacers established an 18-point lead in the first half, only to witness Giannis Antetokounmpo orchestrate a remarkable comeback for the Bucks.
Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin marveled at Antetokounmpo’s prowess, stating, “I know he can do this, but when you see it up close, it’s awesome.”
Antetokounmpo, a defensive force, notched 54 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, falling just one point short of his career-high of 55. Griffin’s ejection in the third quarter, protesting a non-call on a potential foul on Antetokounmpo, added drama to the game.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, scoring 29 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minutes, led his team to victory. Bennedict Mathurin contributed 26 points. Despite trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Pacers rallied, with Haliburton attributing their success to “just figuring it out.”
In another game, Dejounte Murray’s last-minute three-pointer secured a narrow 120-119 victory for the Atlanta Hawks against the Orlando Magic. Trae Young’s impressive 41-point performance, with 33 points in the first half, thrilled a packed Mexico City Arena audience. Despite an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, Orlando led briefly, thanks to Franz Wagner. However, Young’s assist to Murray secured Atlanta’s late triumph.
