Giannis Antetokounmpo called a ‘child’ by Jaylen Brown after fake handshake fiasco

Tempers flared on Sunday night between two of the NBA’s most prominent stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown, following a fake handshake incident during the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Boston Celtics. The tension between the two players escalated when Brown called Antetokounmpo “a child” after the Bucks forward jokingly pulled away a handshake during a heated moment.

The controversy unfolded early in the second quarter, when Antetokounmpo elbowed Brown in the face, resulting in an offensive foul. As the players jogged back down the court, Antetokounmpo appeared to extend his hand in an apology for the elbow, but at the last moment, he retracted the offer and instead ran his hand through his hair, laughing. He followed this with another attempt at a high-five, but Brown, visibly frustrated, declined, shaking his head.

After the game, Brown didn’t hold back his feelings, expressing his displeasure with the Bucks star’s antics. “Giannis is a child,” Brown told NBC Sports Boston. “I’m just focused on helping my team get a win, and that’s what we did tonight.”

Brown’s frustration did not end there. In the fourth quarter, he was called for a flagrant foul when he challenged Antetokounmpo in mid-air while the Bucks star was driving to the basket. Despite the earlier exchange, Brown insisted that the foul was unrelated to the handshake incident, but his on-court intensity reflected the tension between the two players.

Antetokounmpo, however, seemed surprised by the reaction and downplayed the incident in his post-game comments. “Obviously, it’s a joke,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re playing basketball, but at the same time, you gotta have fun while playing.” He continued by praising Brown’s competitiveness and efforts to help his team win, despite the playful interaction. “I think he’s an incredible player. He does whatever he can to help his team win. We’ve played against one another many times, and I think we always joke around within the flow of the game,” Antetokounmpo said.

He further explained that the handshake was intended as a lighthearted moment, likening it to something he might do with his children. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh, give me a high five. Oop, you’re too slow.’ I just did it. I enjoyed it though. It was fun. If I’m called a child, so be it … If I have another opportunity, I’ll do it again.”

While Antetokounmpo’s intentions appeared innocent, the incident seemed to fuel the Celtics, who were trailing 42-32 before the handshake exchange. Afterward, they went on an impressive run, outscoring the Bucks 81-65 in the second half to secure a 113-107 victory.

Despite the Bucks’ loss, Antetokounmpo put up a stellar individual performance, finishing with 43 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ collective effort. Brown, making his return after a four-game injury absence, played a crucial role defensively, limiting Damian Lillard to just 14 points on 4-of-15 shooting. Lillard had been a dominant scorer at Fiserv Forum in recent games, but the Celtics’ defense had him in check.

Meanwhile, Boston’s offense was led by Jayson Tatum, who recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The Celtics are now off to a remarkable 9-2 start to the season, further solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the league. On the other hand, the Bucks’ struggles continue, as they find themselves at 2-8, their worst start to a season in over a decade.

Despite the fiery exchange between Brown and Antetokounmpo, it was clear that the Celtics’ resilience and defensive adjustments played a significant role in the win. The emotional exchange served as a reminder of the fierce competitiveness between two of the NBA’s brightest stars. It also highlighted the unpredictable dynamics that can unfold during an NBA game, where playful moments can quickly turn into sources of motivation for the opposing team.

As for the two players involved, it remains to be seen if the tension between them will carry over into future matchups. With both teams expected to be in contention come playoff time, the rivalry between Antetokounmpo and Brown is likely to intensify, adding another layer of drama to the ongoing NBA season.