Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks-Pacers game ball issue explained

Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved a career-high and a Milwaukee Bucks franchise record of 64 points during their 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. However, Antetokounmpo's celebration was short-lived as he couldn't find the game ball to commemorate his achievement.

Antetokounmpo scored 64 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished three assists, and had four steals against the Pacers. Damian Lillard also had an impressive performance with 21 points, six assists, and four rebounds, allowing him to surpass Kyle Korver for fifth all-time in three-pointers made in NBA history.

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Giannis and Bucks get heated over game ball

After the game, Antetokounmpo rushed into the Indiana locker room and shortly returned to the court where Antetokounmpo had a heated exchange with Tyrese Haliburton.

Although Giannis eventually received a game ball, he mentioned during the post-game media conference that it didn't feel like the game ball used in the Bucks' win.

Antetokounmpo said, "I have a ball but I don’t know if it’s the game ball. It doesn’t feel like the game ball to me. It feels like a brand new ball...I played 35 minutes today. I know how the game ball felt."

Nonetheless, he planned to keep it as a memento and gift it to his mother.

NBA: Twitter reacts to Giannis Antetokounmpo's 64-point game: 'Shoutout to Giannis for the record in points and goofiness'

Why was there confusion over the game ball?

Indiana's head coach Rick Carlisle discussed the altercation between players from the Bucks and Pacers, which originated from a game ball confusion.

Pacers’ head coach, Rick Carlisle, explained that it was a misunderstanding as the game ball went to go to Oscar Tshiebwa for scoring his first official NBA point.

Giannis Antetokounmpo took comments from the media after the scuffle between Milwaukee and Pacers game surrounding the issue of the game ball and who should have gotten it.

NBA star Richard Jefferson broke down on what occurred between the Bucks and Paces and shared his solution for getting Giannis the game ball he wants to commemorate his accomplishments.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Bucks, Pacers' messy game ball situation has a simple explanation