Antetokounmpo scores 41 in return as Bucks beat Nets

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo took eight days off and missed back-to-back games to manage chronic pain in his right knee.

“I definitely felt lost because this is what I love to do, to play games,” Antetokounmpo said.

The All-Star forward returned to the lineup Friday night (Saturday in Manila), scoring 41 points and adding 13 rebounds to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-91.

He sealed it late, dribbling between his legs before hitting a jumper over Quincy Acy and drawing a foul. Antetokounmpo made the free throw, and hit a 3-pointer on the next possession.

“If I’m open I’m going to shoot it,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m going to go with the flow of the game.”

Khris Middleton added 21 points for the Bucks in their second game since coach Jason Kidd was fired Monday. They also beat the Nets for the ninth consecutive time.

“We’re growing. We’re out here having fun,” Middleton said. “As long as we play unselfishly, we’re a very dangerous team.”

DeMarre Carroll and D’Angelo Russell had 14 points apiece for Brooklyn.

“Total domination by the Bucks,” Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I thought they were better at every position.”

Milwaukee built a 28-point first-half lead. Brooklyn, which had just 35 points at the half, scored 37 in the third quarter and got within seven points late in the period.

“Energy and enthusiasm has to be there and we need it every game,” Milwaukee coach Joe Prunty said. “In the third quarter, we had a little bit of a lull.”

The Nets, coming off a one-point loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, struggled offensively throughout the first half, connecting on just 26 percent of their shots, including 4 of 20 from 3-point range. Milwaukee led 58-35 at the half.

“I’m disappointed. I felt that after Oklahoma City we’d come in here and give a better effort,” Atkinson said. “That wasn’t the case. I thought our shot selection was, quit honestly, very poor. We weren’t sharing the ball.”

The Bucks opened on a 16-2 run and led 33-15 after the quarter, led by Antetokounmpo with 11 points.