The epic showdown between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference never materialized on Thursday as the Boston Celtics routed the Milwaukee Bucks, 140-99.
But despite the blowout, the game’s final minutes did provide some drama.
With both teams using their bench players, Milwaukee’s Thanasis Antetokounmpo went up for a shot and was defended by Boston’s Blake Griffin.
Antetokounmpo was fouled hard and did not take kindly to it. He got into Griffin’s face and headbutted the six-time All-Star. After review, both players were issued flagrant fouls, while Antetokounmpo was ejected for the headbutt.
Things get chippy between Blake Griffin and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in garbage time of the Celtics' blowout win over the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/oMZ7VZ494A
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 31, 2023
Both were given flagrant fouls. Antetokounmpo is ejected for headbutting Griffin.
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 31, 2023
The NBA world reacted to the fight. Antetokounmpo, in particular, was heavily criticized for his actions.
Thanasis should be embarrassed
— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) March 31, 2023
https://twitter.com/benzkenney/status/1641619079864672257
Thanasis so funny man, you’d be in China If it wasn’t for your brother LMAO
— ً (@FanMahome) March 31, 2023
Thanasis is the biggest cheerleader in the NBA the fact he gets a uniform is an embarrassment. 100 G league players deserve it more. 🤡pic.twitter.com/v10HbK0mrU
— Jay Pratt (@ThisIsJayPratt) March 31, 2023
Griffin, home-courts obviously not too bothered by it. During the delay in the game, he grabbed the facemask of teammate Jaylen Brown.
Blake out here trying to use Jaylen’s mask for the rest of the game after Thanasis’ head butt 🤣🤣 #Celtics pic.twitter.com/Ad1tM2nL8C
— John-Griner Canady (@Johng_c) March 31, 2023
The win was a big one for the Celtics. Milwaukee is still two games ahead of Boston for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Both teams have only five games remaining, so the Bucks are still in the driver’s seat. But Thursday’s win gave the Celtics the tiebreaker. So, if the Bucks want to have home court advantage in a potential Eastern Conference finals matchup between the two teams, they’ll need to finish with a better record.
And if we do get that series, what happened at the end of Thursday’s game will add some drama to it.
[Photo Credit: TNT]
