Bucks overcome Wemby, Spurs

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 44 points and 14 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame an electric performance by Victor Wembanyama on his 20th birthday to beat the San Antonio Spurs 125-121 on Thursday night.

Wembanyama had 27 points, and Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 34.

Wembanyama’s f irst meeting with Antetokounmpo was delayed by the French rookie’s sprained ankle Dec. 19 in Milwaukee, but it proved to be worth the wait.

Antetokounmpo drew a charge on Wembanyama after hitting a 3-pointer to tie it at 118 with three minutes remaining. The Greek star hit his second 3-pointer of the game 34 seconds later to give the Bucks a 121-118 lead.

Wembanyama responded by blocking Damian Lillard’s layup and making a 3-pointer to tie it with 53 second left.

Wembanyama blocked an attempted dunk by Antetokounmpo to set up a potential tying shot. Wembanyama passed up a contested 3-pointer to give the ball to Tre Jones, but the guard missed a 3-pointer from the right corner.

Lillard finished with 25 points and 10 assists.

Wembanyama was invigorated playing against Antetokounmpo, who the 7-foot- 3 rookie from France is often compared to. Wembanyama said Antetokounmpo is one of the players he has studied the most because the 7-footer from Greece is aggressive and “scary for his opponents.”

Wembanyama dispensed his own dread to the Bucks.

Wembanyama had nine rebounds, five blocks, altered numerous shots and was 10 from 18 from the field.

Wembanyama electrified the crowd by throwing the ball off the backboard to himself for a two-handed dunk early in the second quarter.