Unhappy Giannis knocks over ladder
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo argued with an arena worker and flung a ladder away from a basket, sending it toppling over, as he tried to shoot practice free throws after the team’s 110-102 loss Friday to the host 76ers.
After going 4-for-15 from the line, Antetokounmpo returned to the court at the Wells Fargo Center several minutes after the game to shoot free throws with a small number of fans still in the building. During a break in his shooting, arena workers moved onto the court for their usual postgame activities.
One of the workers set up a 12-foot ladder next to the basket where Antetokounmpo was shooting. Antetokounmpo walked up to the ladder and moved it out of the way. The employee then moved it back into place, much to the ire of Antetokounmpo, who approached the staffer, had a heated verbal exchange, then moved the ladder away again, sending it crashing to the floor.
‘‘I never try to disrespect anyone, in any way shape or form,’’ Antetokounmpo said afterward. ‘‘I feel like it was just [an] unfortunate event that took place.’’
The Nets listed guard Kyrie Irving as questionable for their game Sunday against the Grizzlies. He has missed the last eight games after being suspended by the team for posting a link to a film with antisemitic material on his Twitter account.
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant suffered a sprained left ankle Friday against the Thunder and will be out at least a week.
Cavaliers forward Kevin Love suffered a hairline fracture in his right thumb Friday against the Hornets and likely will miss several games.