No one could stop Giannis Antetokounmpo on Wednesday night — even as the Pistons tried reliving their “Bad Boys” past.
The Bucks star forward was in the midst of a career game against Detroit with 45 points late in the third quarter when Isaiah Stewart took his defensive tactics too far.
With Detroit up 79-71, Stewart was roped into defending a pick-and-roll, guarding Antetokounmpo and shading near Bucks ball handler Pat Connaughton.
As the pass came in to Antetokounmpo, Stewart, clearly beat on the play, reached up for Antetokounmpo’s jersey and dragged him to the floor.
Antetokounmpo fell hard on the play as teammates immediately attended to the star forward, although he was not injured and hit both free throws.
Stewart, who has a history of being a physical player, was swiftly ejected from the contest.
“It’s a dangerous play. That’s not a basketball play” Antetokounmpo said after the game, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
“I think the ref did a great job of making the right call. I couldn’t hear what it was, but I know that he got ejected. But at the end of the day when you play guys like (Jalen) Duren and Stewart, guys that are physical, tough, you gotta expect that. Coming to the game I knew it was going to be tough for me to get to my angles and make plays.”
Antetokounmpo ended the game with 59 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the 127-120 comeback win.
There is some history here. Antetokounmpo was ejected nearly a year ago to the day when he taunted Stewart on a coast-to-coast dunk.
You may remember Stewart as the player whom LeBron James bloodied up in 2021.
Stewart attacked James on the court in a wild scene that resulted in suspensions.
The ejection of Stewart had massive implications on the game with the Bucks finishing the third quarter on a run to take a one-point lead.
The spark given by Stewart may have been exactly what the Bucks needed to right the ship as they’ve struggled mightily to begin the campaign.
Milwaukee is 4-8 to begin the season and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference as coach Doc Rivers looks to find answers on a depleted roster led by Antetokounmpo and guard Damian Lillard.
