Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points and 13 rebounds to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-91.
Giannis Antetokounmpo took eight days off and missed back-to-back games to manage chronic pain in his right knee.
« I definitely felt lost because this is what I love to do, to play games, » Antetokounmpo said.
The All-Star forward returned to the lineup Friday night, scoring 41 points and adding 13 rebounds to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-91.
He sealed it late, dribbling between his legs before hitting a jumper over Quincy Acy and drawing a foul. Antetokounmpo made the free throw, and hit a 3-pointer on the next possession.
« If I’m open I’m going to shoot it, » Antetokounmpo said. « I’m going to go with the flow of the game. »
Khris Middleton added 21 points for the Bucks in their second game since coach Jason Kidd was fired Monday. They also beat the Nets for the ninth consecutive time.
« We’re growing. We’re out here having fun, » Middleton said. « As long as we play unselfishly, we’re a very dangerous team. »
DeMarre Carroll and D’Angelo Russell had 14 points apiece for Brooklyn.
« Total domination by the Bucks, » Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson said. « I thought they were better at every position. »
Milwaukee built a 28-point first-half lead. Brooklyn, which had just 35 points at the half, scored 37 in the third quarter and got within seven points late in the period.
« Energy and enthusiasm has to be there and we need it every game, » Milwaukee coach Joe Prunty said. « In the third quarter, we had a little bit of a lull. »
The Nets, coming off a one-point loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, struggled offensively throughout the first half, connecting on just 26 percent of their shots, including 4 of 20 from 3-point range. Milwaukee led 58-35 at the half.
« I’m disappointed. I felt that after Oklahoma City we’d come in here and give a better effort, » Atkinson said. « That wasn’t the case. I thought our shot selection was, quit honestly, very poor. We weren’t sharing the ball. »
The Bucks opened on a 16-2 run and led 33-15 after the quarter, led by Antetokounmpo with 11 points.
TROUBLE FOR BROWN
Police officers used a stun gun on Bucks rookie guard Sterling Brown and arrested the 22-year-old Friday after a confrontation at a pharmacy parking lot. « It’s a personal issue I’m dealing with right now, » Brown said before the game. Brown had what appeared to be a bruise and scratches on the right side of his face. Officers contacted a man believed to be Brown after seeing a vehicle parked across two handicapped parking spots while doing a business check at about 2 a.m. Asked if there could be any discipline for Brown, coach Joe Prunty said: « We believe it will be resolved quickly. » Brown entered the game midway through the first quarter. He scored four points in 27 minutes.
« I thought Sterling did a nice job in terms of focus, » Prunty said. « Came here and did his job and competed. »
SILVER LINING
After missing 31 games with a knee injury before returning to action last week, D’Angelo Russell showed signs of his old form. « He got in a good stretch there, » Atkinson said. « He looked like he did in the beginning of the year for us. » Russell made consecutive 3-pointers from about 28 feet late in the third quarter. « Seeing the ball go through the net is definitely a good feeling, » Russell said.
TIP-INS
Nets: Brooklyn shot just 22 percent in the first quarter, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range…. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson limped off the court midway the second quarter with a strained right groin and didn’t return. « That was a big blow to our defense, » Atkinson said…. Brooklyn made buzzer-beating 3-pointers at the end of the first and second quarters.
Bucks: G Malcolm Brogdon missed the game due to right calf soreness…. Former Milwaukee player Vin Baker has been hired as an assistant coach. Baker most recently served as a pre- and postgame analyst for Bucks telecasts and served as a volunteer coaching assistant…. Milwaukee Brewers players Josh Hader, Brett Phillips and Jacob Barnes sat courtside.
UP NEXT
Nets: At Minnesota on Saturday night.
Bucks: At Chicago on Sunday.
