Giannis Antetokounmpo cemented his place among the NBA’s greats on Wednesday night, surpassing 20,000 career points as the Milwaukee Bucks dismantled a short-handed Dallas Mavericks team 137-107.
The two-time MVP finished with 32 points and 15 rebounds in under 25 minutes, becoming just the 52nd player in league history to hit the milestone. Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan reached the mark at a younger age.
Antetokounmpo wasn’t the only star shining for Milwaukee. Damian Lillard led all scorers with 34 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. The Bucks, now winners of eight of their last nine, looked unstoppable against a depleted Dallas squad missing Kyrie Irving, who suffered a torn ACL earlier in the week.
Dallas, already struggling with injuries, had just eight available players. Klay Thompson provided a bright spot with 28 points, but the Mavericks never truly threatened. After a competitive start, Milwaukee turned up the intensity with an 18-3 first-quarter run, capped by a Lillard jumper, and never looked back.
The dominance allowed the Bucks’ stars to rest the entire fourth quarter, a welcome break after playing the night before in Atlanta. Despite missing Bobby Portis, who is serving a 25-game suspension, Milwaukee has found its rhythm, going 7-1 since his absence.
This win marked the Bucks’ highest point total and biggest margin of victory this season. More importantly, it underscored Antetokounmpo’s legacy as he continues to rewrite the history books.
