Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo intentionally misses shot to grab extra rebound for triple-double

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double in the team’s 117-111 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night — or so the stats sheet said.

The onetime NBA MVP had 23 points and 13 assists and needed just one more rebound by the end of the game to solidify his fourth triple-double of the season. He bounced back his intentionally missed shot to secure the target. He dribbled to the basket and tossed the ball off the backboard to bounce it back.

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“I thought about scoring the ball, but I feel in those situations it’s best to keep the ball,” Antetokounmpo told reporters after the game. “But yeah, I’m just trying to play the game smart and sort of stole it.”

Antetokounmpo called on shadows of former Atlanta Hawks guard Bob Sura and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ricky Davis with the move.

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Sura played 27 games with the Hawks during the 2003-04 season. He was attempting to record his third straight triple-double in a game when he purposely missed a layup to get his own rebound. The NBA would disallow the shot because Sura had no intention of making the field goal attempt.

Bob Sura, #3 of the Miami Heat, dribbles the ball onto the field against the Atlanta Hawks during the game at the Philips Arena on March 31, 2004 in Atlanta. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Davis was one rebound short of his first career triple-double in 2003. He took an inbound pass and dribbled across the field to intentionally miss and collect the rebound. The act sparked outrage in the NBA, including from then-Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan.

It is unclear whether the stat line will still count.

Guard Ricky Davis, #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers, stands with his hands on his hips during the NBA game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Jamie Squire /NBAE/Getty Images)

Milwaukee moved to 1.5 games over the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference with the win.

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Wizards guard Delon Wright stands at right. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

“We feel like we have a lot of depth,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are good shooters who can get hot from the 3-point line. So that’s part of having a good team and being able to play back-to-backs and get through the season and be prepared in the playoffs.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.