Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. After going 4 for 15 from the line, Antetokounmpo returned to the Wells Fargo Center floor several minutes after the game to shoot free throws with a small number of fans still in the building. Antetokounmpo proceeded to miss his first five foul shots in the postgame practice.
During a break in the two-time NBA MVP's shooting, arena workers moved onto the court for their usual postgame activities. One of the workers set up a 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 moved it back in place. Antetokounmpo then approached the staffer, had a quick, exchange, and then shoved the ladder away, sending it crashing to the floor.
Antetokounmpo told reporters that the incident began when he started shooting free throws and a player and coach told him to leave the court. Antetokounmpo didn't name the player, but the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had a video showing Philadelphia's Montrezl Harrell taking the ball from Anteokounmpo as the Bucks forward was at the free-throw line.
Antetokounmpo said he left to get two more balls and returned to see the ladder in front of the basket. I totally did not. I just tried to, I think I pushed it and it got caught and fell. But people are going to make it look the way they want it to look. I know what happened. We can show the whole incident from people coming and getting the ball, people getting in my face. I think anybody in my position that had a night like me would go out and work on his free throws. Word spread quickly through the Wells Fargo Center.
Harrell, who was still on the other end of the court talking to a group of individuals, including some 76ers staffers, started to walk toward Antetokounmpo, shouting at him for mistreating the arena employee. Harrell never made it past half court, as team employees were able to get him to turn around and head to the Philadelphia locker room. Respect is respect! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
