“I don’t know if I should apologize because I don’t feel like I did anything wrong” – Giannis Antetokounmpo on altercation with Montrezl Harrel & Philadelphia Sixers’ staff
Friday afternoon in Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid went to battle in an extremely back and forth game. Early on, it was the Bucks who jumped out to an early lead as they finished the first quarter up by ten. Although the 76ers were able to outscore them in the second, it seemed the momentum was going Milwaukee's way.
That all changed in the second half, however, when Embiid and the 76ers found their stride. In the third quarter, the 76ers outscored Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks by twelve. They sealed the deal with a strong fourth quarter.
After the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shot just 4-15 from the free throw line, decided he needed to get some practice in.
While fans were still making their way out of the Wells Fargo Center, the two-time MVP took a ball and got to work on his free throws. That didn't sit too well with Montrezl Harrell, who emerged from the tunnel and took the ball from The Greek Freak. While a 76ers staff member positioned himself between the two, Giannis Antetokounmpo pleaded with Harrell for the ball.
The former Sixth Man of the Year, who played just four minutes during the game, walked off with the ball to get shots up on the other end of the court. This prompted Antetokounmpo to go to the locker room and bring his own ball out. Only this time, a gigantic A-frame ladder was in his way.
Like a man on a mission, Antetokounmpo dragged the ladder out of the way, knocking it down in the process, and went back to shooting free throws. Giannis Antetokounmpo reflected on the situation after the fact, saying:
“I don’t know if I should apologize because I don’t feel like I did anything wrong, except the ladder just fell. I feel like it’s my right for me to work on my skills after a horrible night at the free throw line.”
You can see the whole video below.
Montrezl Harrell responds to the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation
Following the surfacing of the video, Harrell gave his thoughts on the situation via Twitter. According to him, he was merely asking Antetokounmpo to leave the court so he could workout. He didn't explain why he had to take the ball from the former MVP in order to work out on the other half of the court like he ultimately did.
Aye make sure you get the complete story I ask the man can he get off the court so I can workout they had to change the court over he ignore me so hey that’s what you get! Respect is respect! GOODNIGHT!
According to another report, after Giannis Antetokounmpo left the court for good, his brother Thanasis went to speak with Harrell. When he did, he was met with hostility as Harrell allegedly threatened to physically assault him. According to a report from FadeAwayWorld, Harrell told Thanasis:
"I'll beat your a**"
Needless to say, the next time these two teams meet on the court, things will likely get pretty chippy. The pair are set to collide March 4 in Milwaukee, before then meeting one final time in April.
Stay tuned for updates regarding potential suspensions and fines.
Check out some highlights from the game below.