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Giannis Antetokounmpo made history as the 52nd player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points, achieving this feat at the age of 30, making him the sixth youngest to do so.
On Wednesday, the ‘Greek Freak’ scored an impressive 32 points, hitting 13 out of 20 shots from the field, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 137-107 victory over the undermanned Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum.
“Experiencing this milestone is significant for me, but I dwell on more than just reaching 20,000 points. I reflect on everything I’ve endured throughout my life to reach this place. From my early days before basketball, starting at 14, to breaking into the NBA, there were many sacrifices along the way for my family, times of hardship, and moments of disappointment when I struggled to achieve my goals,” he shared during his postgame comments.
“I stand for those who may not have everything or are not the most talented but are dedicated and show up every night to do their best. Regardless of the results, they keep returning and remain committed to honing their craft. I aspire to be a symbol for those individuals. I realize many young players look up to incredible talents like Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Klay Thompson, with whom we played tonight, and Steph Curry—all of whom possess great natural talent. Yet, I hope that by observing my journey to 20,000 points, they can see the humility I exhibited, my willingness to heed the advice of former and current coaches, and the impact of teammates like Jared Dudley, who encouraged me at 19 to move out of my mother’s house to gain independence,” Giannis went on to say. “I cherish this moment and wish that others who work diligently can achieve similar milestones because it is a rewarding feeling.”
Only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan reached the 20,000-point mark at a younger age than the Greek forward.
“I’m confident, 1,000%. I will reach that point,” the 30-year-old assured, expressing his ambition to follow in their footsteps and eventually hit the 30,000-point mark in NBA regular-season play. “I’m not sure how I’ll do it, but I’ll show up each day and make it happen. It’s not merely a personal goal for me. I believe what truly defines one’s legacy is winning, not the total points scored.”
In just under 25 minutes of play, Giannis recorded a double-double with 15 rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
“We’re playing solid basketball, establishing trust among each other, and I feel we’re improving defensively while holding one another accountable,” he noted, as his team moved to a 36-25 record in the 2024-25 regular season, achieving eight wins in their last nine games.
The Bucks, under Doc Rivers’ guidance, are set for a three-game homestand, which includes matchups against the Orlando Magic this coming NBA Saturday and the Cleveland Cavaliers on NBA Sunday.
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