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Giannis Antetokounmpo Retrieves Game Ball for Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero After Officials Withhold It

Giannis resolved a brief postgame dispute with a gesture of respect that echoed a 2023 ball incident and quickly drew social attention.

Overview

  • The Lakers beat the Bucks 119-95 on Nov. 15, and rookie Adou Thiero recorded his first NBA points in the fourth quarter.
  • After the free throws, Lakers players tried to keep the ball for Thiero before a referee took it and handed it to a Bucks staff member.
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo then secured the ball from the staffer and passed it to Luka Doncic to ensure the Lakers kept the keepsake.
  • Doncic said the referees would not release the ball and thanked Giannis for stepping in, while Thiero expressed gratitude to his teammates.
  • Video of the exchange circulated widely on social media, and outlets characterized the episode as a simple act of sportsmanship with no further repercussions reported.