UPDATE: A thrilling moment unfolded on November 11, 2023, when Los Angeles Lakers rookie Adou Thiero scored his first points in the NBA during a commanding 119-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the real drama erupted after the final buzzer as Lakers players scrambled to secure the game ball for their rookie star.
Thiero made a memorable debut, contributing four points, including an electrifying dunk in the last minute of the game. The excitement should have been about Thiero’s achievements, but instead, it quickly turned into a comical custody battle over the game ball. Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt initially clutched the ball tightly as he congratulated Bucks players, only to have it snatched by crew chief Pat Fraher.
Fraher approached Vanderbilt and declared, “It’s not my ball to give away,” before handing it over to a Bucks team attendant. Vanderbilt expressed confusion over the referee’s decision, stating, “I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. These refs, they just want to have their power.”
“He said he’s going to write me up,” Vanderbilt added, bewildered by the unexpected reprimand.
In a surprising turn, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped in to intervene. He took the ball from the attendant and handed it directly to Lakers star Luka Doncic, showcasing his sportsmanship. “That shows a lot of class,” said Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
This light-hearted incident was a far cry from a similar situation in Milwaukee two years ago when a heated dispute arose over a game ball intended for rookie Oscar Tshiebwe during another memorable night for Antetokounmpo, who scored a career-high 64 points.
Fortunately, this time, the game ball saga concluded on a positive note. Doncic later presented the ball to Thiero in the locker room, a gesture that deeply moved the rookie. “At first I didn’t realize it was all for me,” Thiero said. “But I’m very thankful for this team. I think that shows how connected we are and how much we want each other to succeed.”
Thiero, who was drafted at No. 36 overall after the Lakers traded up on draft night, finally made his NBA debut after recovering from knee surgery. His performance was particularly crucial as the Lakers faced significant challenges, including the absence of Marcus Smart due to illness and Rui Hachimura with a sore calf, while awaiting the return of LeBron James from sciatica.
This victory improved the Lakers’ record to 10-4, positioning them at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. “Either way, I’m glad he got [the game ball],” Vanderbilt remarked. “He deserves it. That’s a big-time achievement, accomplishment, scoring your first NBA points. Especially in a win.”
With the Lakers eager to build on this momentum, all eyes will be on their next game as they prepare to face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The excitement surrounding Thiero’s debut and the unfolding events from last night are sure to keep fans buzzing in the days to come.