Leaked audio shows Pacers refusing to give Giannis Antetokounmpo game ball

However, the Pacers got the ball in order to give it to their rookie, Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first official NBA points in the said contest. Antetokounmpo didn’t like that at all and quickly charged to the tunnel and into the Indiana locker room to get the ball.

What happened inside was initially unknown to the public. Antetokounmpo later returned to the court without the ball and confronted Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton in a heated exchange. Eyewitness reports noted that Giannis, along with his brother Thanasis and teammate Jae Crowder tried to get the ball, though to no avail.

Now, a video showing Antetokounmpo’s pursuit of the ball to the Pacers’ locker room has been making its rounds on social media. In the said video, Myles Turner and the Indiana players can be heard refusing to give the Bucks superstar the ball.

Here’s the video, as shared by X account LegendZ, which has been popular for sharing viral NBA videos and audio transcriptions from the game:

This is not a good look for the Pacers. Both sides could have handled it better, but it’s bizarre for a visiting team– and the losing team for that matter– to try to get the game ball when the opposing home side made some history on their side.

Considering how chippy the game was between the Bucks and Pacers, it’s not surprising why the visitors wanted to annoy the player that just dropped 60-plus points on their heads.

As more information about the incident emerged, the situation also got more clarity.

The Pacers never got the real game ball and had a backup ball instead. A Bucks official reportedly got the ball.

It is worth noting, however, that Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle did admit that they did take the ball (thinking it was the real game ball) to give it to their rookie, not knowing about Antetokounmpo’s record. He shared that there was a lot of miscommunication, leading to the issue. In the end, the Pacers gave Tshiebwe a replacement ball instead.

While Giannis was eventually given the ball, he did tell reporters postgame that he has doubts it’s the real game-used ball, explaining that it felt brand new rather than a used one.

Whatever the case may be, however, hopes are high that both sides will be able to move on from the issue.