Giannis heated over CP3 play: 'Enough is enough'

SAN ANTONIO -- Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed frustration over a fourth-quarter foul by San Antonio's Chris Paul that saw the Bucks star end up on the ground during his team's 144-118 loss to the Spurs on Friday night, saying, "Enough is enough."

With 3:46 remaining and the Bucks trailing 131-111, Antetokounmpo hauled in a bounce pass from Taurean Prince and spun toward the basket as Paul, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell stepped over to defend. As Antetokounmpo spun in between Sochan and Paul, the latter appeared to shove Antetokounmpo to the ground.

Antetokounmpo landed on his right hip and back and immediately uttered words at Paul while pointing at him. Bucks teammate Gary Trent Jr. helped Antetokounmpo up after the play and Sochan walked over to step between Antetokounmpo and Paul. Khris Middleton and Victor Wembanyama pulled Sochan away just as Stephon Castle approached to diffuse the situation.

Paul was whistled for a foul on the play, and after a review it was determined to be a common foul.

Antetokounmpo's frustration lingered following the game, as he waited several seconds near halfcourt for Paul after the final buzzer. The two exchanged words briefly as Paul waited to conduct a postgame on-court interview.

"People that know me, they don't try me," Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. "If you try me, it's a different side. If you try me, you're gonna get that different side of me."

Antetokounmpo initially said "nothing" happened, calling it "a physical play," before adding, "I don't know if I was tripped or I was pushed." But he then started to elaborate when asked why he waited for Paul after the game.

"At the end of the day, I think we're all men. We all respect one another," Antetokounmpo said. "If words cross the line, then there's got to be consequences. I really don't say much. I don't say much to start with, try to play the game the right way. If I feel like you're putting my livelihood, my career, and my body in jeopardy, in danger, enough is enough brother. I have a family to feed, and what makes you laugh can also make you cry sometimes."

The play and Antetokounmpo's reaction led to a minor scuffle between the teams that was quickly broken up by teammates and security personnel.

"Giannis is as levelheaded as anybody in our league," Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. "So, if he was upset at something, I'm going to probably guess something happened."

The incident somewhat marred a competitive showdown between two of the league's top international players in Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama, who each produced 30-point showings.

Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 35 points with 14 rebounds and 6 assists. It was Antetokounmpo's fourth consecutive game with 35 points and 10 rebounds, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the longest streak in franchise history.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama posted his sixth career game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, tying the second-most such games in the past 20 seasons.

The Spurs drilled a franchise-record 24 3-pointers, with Wembanyama connecting on 5 of 11 from 3-point range.