NBA suspends Thanasis Antetokounmpo for one game

Thanasis Antetokounmpo Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

NBA issues Thanasis Antetokounmpo suspension over headbutt

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 4/1/23

Thanasis Antetokounmpo has been punished for going Evander Holyfield during Thursday’s game.

The NBA announced on Saturday that the Milwaukee Bucks forward has been suspended one game due to an ill-advised decision to headbutt Boston Celtics forward Blake Griffin two nights prior. Antetokounmpo will serve his suspension during the Bucks’ upcoming showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, became frustrated while playing in garbage time of Milwaukee’s 140-99 laugher-of-a-loss to the Celtics. He got physical with Griffin while fighting for a couple of loose balls and responded to a subsequent Griffin foul in anger.

JB really gave Blake his mask after the Thanasis head-butt pic.twitter.com/AyymVWFpDI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 31, 2023

While the headbutt was not particularly strong, Antetokounmpo was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from Thursday’s contest. Antetokounmpo has played just 138 minutes all season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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