MILWAUKEE (USA) - The man that put Greece on his back at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus and carried it to the Summer Games for the first time since 2008, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is now doing some heavy lifting for the Milwaukee Bucks.
On Wednesday night, the Greek Freak poured in 59 points - the second most in his NBA career after a 64-point effort against Indiana last season - to lead the Bucks to a 127-120 victory over Detroit.
Antetokounmpo hasn't scored that many points for Greece yet, but he's had some huge games, including a couple in 2022 when he reached the 40-point mark.
The first was on August 22, in a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers game against Serbia in Belgrade. Antetokounmpo exploded for 40 points. The Greek superstar was 14 of 25 (56%) from the floor, including 2 of 7 (28.6%) from 3-point range, and 10 of 14 (71.4%) at the free-throw line.
In Greece's fourth game at FIBA EuroBasket 2022, in Milan, he erupted for 41 points in a 99-79 win over Ukraine. Antetokounmpo was 13 of 18 (72.2%) from the floor and 15 of 18 (83.3%) at the free-throw line.
For now, that is his points record with Greece.
FIBA