The Los Angeles Lakers (10-4) took on the Milwaukee Bucks (8-6) on the second night of a back-to-back.
After having a bit of a rough road trip, the Lakers were able to secure quite a solid victory.
The Lakers went into halftime up 65-34, and although the Bucks brought it closer throughout the second half, Los Angeles never opened the door back up. The final score was 119-95.
With the game being a bit of a blowout for most of the night, it gave the Lakers an opportunity to play guys that they're not typically able to give minutes to. One of those players was Lakers rookie Adou Thiero.
When Thiero accomplished a massive milestone for any NBA player, Giannis was sure to make sure he got his due.
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Giannis secures a special moment for Thiero
In the fourth quarter of the game, Thiero got his turn to realize his NBA dream on the court.
After a foul under the basket, Thiero had the opportunity to score his first NBA points at the line. He hit both free throws, establishing his first registered statistics in his young career.
The Lakers' bench was thrilled to see it, too.
Lakers bench for Adou Thiero’s first NBA point pic.twitter.com/JF8onXYUwk
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) November 16, 2025
As a special moment, Jarred Vanderbilt attempted to secure the ball for Thiero as a moment to commemorate a massive milestone. The head official was not having it.
After a back-and-forth where Vanderbilt refused to give the ball up, eventually the ref won and handed the ball to a Bucks staff member. Thiero would be without his "first point" ball if it weren't for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis went out of his way to grab the ball from the staffer and hand it over to the Lakers.
The Lakers were trying to get the game ball for Adou Thiero but the ref wouldn't allow it.
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) November 16, 2025
Giannis went on, got the ball and handed it to Luka.
Class act by the Greek Freak pic.twitter.com/1tOHYzs1BL
Giannis, of anyone, would understand this conundrum.
During a game in December of 2023 against the Indiana Pacers, Antetokounmpo scored a career high 64 points and had a similar situation. He had to fight to retain his game ball.
Seeing a rookie about to experience the loss of a special moment like that, he was sure to step in.
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