Giannis Antetokounmpo makes NBA history with record-breaking performance

In Milwaukee, on April 4, 2025, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-113, marking the 10th consecutive loss for the 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered an outstanding performance, achieving the unique feat of scoring 35 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing out a career-high 20 assists, thus becoming the first player in NBA history to accomplish such a triple-double. The Bucks were able to secure this victory despite playing their eighth game without star guard Damian Lillard, who is recovering from a calf injury later confirmed as deep vein thrombosis. Head coach Doc Rivers had to leave the bench early during the game due to illness, necessitating assistant coach Darvin Ham to take over coaching duties. The Philadelphia 76ers struggled throughout the game, extending their losing streak to ten games and showcasing a difficult season, with only three wins in their last 28 games. The absence of key players, including Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Paul George, greatly impacted the team's performance. Additionally, reserve guard Lonnie Walker IV exited the game due to an injury in the third quarter, further complicating the 76ers’ strategy and depth. Antetokounmpo’s remarkable passing ability has been highlighted in recent games, making him an invaluable asset for the Bucks. In two successive games, his passing prowess was evident, accumulating a total of 31 assists, including a prior game against the Phoenix Suns where he also contributed significantly to the score. This evolution in his game from being solely a scorer to becoming a proficient playmaker reflects both personal growth and a team-oriented mindset. The Bucks demonstrated exceptional shooting precision leading up to their game against the 76ers, achieving nearly 69% shooting from the field in their previous encounter against the Suns, the highest shooting percentage in an NBA game since 1998. The combination of this efficiency with Antetokounmpo's historical performance set the stage for the Bucks’ victory and suggested a bright future ahead, with optimism surrounding the potential return of Lillard later in the season as he responds well to treatment. As both teams prepared for their upcoming games on April 6, the 76ers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Bucks continued their road trip against the Miami Heat.