Giannis Antetokounmpo scores NBA season-high 59, rallies Bucks from 18-point deficit past Pistons

On a night where Victor Wembanyama scored 50 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo one-upped the young Spurs star.

He nine-upped him, to be precise.

The Milwaukee Bucks star posted 59 points to lead Milwaukee to a 127-120 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night. He took over with 11 points in the five-minute overtime session to secure the victory in front of a Bucks home crowd.

He had a shot at 60 but chose to dribble out the clock in the final seconds with his Bucks holding a seven-point lead. As usual, Antetokounmpo did most of his damage near the basket and had a nearly perfect night at the free-throw line on a 16-of-17 effort. He also hit his only 3-pointer on a pull-up shot from the wing in overtime to extend Milwaukee’s lead to 119-111.

The 59 points is the most by a player in the NBA this season. Wembanyama briefly held a tie for the season’s lead with Paolo Banchero, who scored 50 points for the Magic in an Oct. 28 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals in a monster night to rally the Bucks from an 18-point deficit. The scoring outburst falls short of Antetokounmpo’s career-high 64 that he scored last December in a win over the Pacers.

The win was much-needed for a Bucks team that’s struggled out of the gates this season. Led by perennial All-Stars Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks started the season with hopes of challenging the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they limped out to a 2-8 record before Wednesday’s win in one of the most disappointing starts in the NBA.

Antetokounmpo posted his 59-point effort without Lillard on the court. Lillard missed a second consecutive game Wednesday with a concussion he suffered Sunday.

The Pistons looked on their way to victory while holding a 70-52 lead early in the third quarter. But the Bucks took an 85-84 lead at the end of the third quarter, then caught a break in the final second of regulation.

Ron Holland had a chance to ice a Pistons win with two free throws and the game tied at 111-111 with one second left. But he missed both shots to send the game to overtime and open the door to Antetokounmpo’s heroics.