Giannis Antetokounmpo won't play versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday after receiving a one-game suspension for headbutting Mo Wagner on Tuesday. Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo suspended one game for headbutt

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 12, 2020 5:49 PM ET

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo won't play versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the reigning regular-season Most Valuable Player has received a one-game suspension for headbutting Washington Wizards forward Moritz Wagner during Tuesday's outing:

The NBA is suspending Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks’ final seeding game on Thursday for head bump on Wizards’ Mo Wagner, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 12, 2020

The Greek Freak offered his account of the incident while speaking with reporters after the game:

Antetokounmpo was ejected in the second quarter of the contest for his actions. Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer defended his star player during his post-game press obligations:

"Giannis has been dealing with this for a long time. He is the MVP. He normally is phenomenal and today was a slip-up. In some ways it could be one of the best things that happened today as a learning moment. We will all remember that we have to keep our cool -- players and coaches."

The Bucks have already secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings heading into the playoffs that begin Aug. 17. Memphis, however, may want to send Antetokounmpo a thank-you gift basket depending on what occurs Thursday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex when the Grizzlies and Bucks meet:

Milwaukee is playing Memphis, in a game Memphis has to win to qualify for the play-in tournament on Saturday. If Memphis wins, it gets in. Will be ninth seed if Portland wins; eighth seed if Portland loses. https://t.co/mNlLgnZ2rR
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) August 12, 2020

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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