Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo torches Pacers for career-best 64 points

MILWAUKEE – Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers 140-126 on Wednesday night.

Antetokounmpo broke the team record of 57 set by Michael Redd in 2006 in a 113-111 loss to the Utah Jazz. Antetokounmpo's previous career high was 55 in a 123-113 win over Washington in January 2023. He had 54 at Indiana on November 9.

Antetokounmpo was 20 of 28 from the field and 24 of 32 from the free throw line and also pulled down 14 rebounds.

Antetokounmpo was tackled by Aaron Nesmith on an underneath play with 10:10 remaining, sparking a brief, heated exchange involving several players. Nesmith was called for a flagrant-1, and Nesmith and the Bucks' Bobby Portis were called for technical fouls.

Antetokounmpo made both free throws and Khris Middleton hit a jumper on the next possession to give the Bucks a 108-96 lead. Portis was called for a second technical and ejected with 9:13 remaining, finishing with 19 points.

Antetokounmpo scored seven straight for the Bucks to extend the lead to 118-100 with 6:26 left.

Damian Lillard added 21 points for the Bucks. Lillard's second 3-pointer with 8:06 left in the third quarter was the 2,451st of his career, passing Kyle Korver for fifth in NBA history.

Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner had 22 points each for the Pacers, who beat the Bucks 128-119 in the semifinals of the in-season tournament Thursday night.

Antetokounmpo scored on a drive to give the Bucks a 96-80 lead with 3:40 left in the third period, but the Pacers trailed 101-94 entering the final period.

Antetokounmpo had 21 points in the first half to give the Bucks a 70-63 lead.