Giannis Antetokounmpo Steps In to Help Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero Keep His First NBA Game Ball

The Los Angeles Lakers continue inching closer to full health, but Saturday’s 119–95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks delivered a moment far more meaningful than the final score. With Rui Hachimura held out due to mild calf tightness — a precautionary decision — the Lakers finally debuted rookie Adou Thiero, who logged his first official NBA minutes after months recovering from a knee injury.

Debut, first points — and an unexpected gesture from a superstar

Thiero checked in late in the fourth quarter and made the most of the opportunity. He calmly knocked down his first career points at the free-throw line, then followed it with a transition dunk — his first made field goal — flashing the explosive athleticism that made him a developmental priority for the Lakers.

But the most memorable moment came after the final buzzer.

As players shook hands and walked toward the tunnel, Luka Dončić tried to secure the game ball to give it to the rookie — a long-standing NBA tradition for a player’s debut and first points. A referee, following protocol, initially refused to release the ball.

That’s when Giannis Antetokounmpo stepped in.

The Bucks star calmly picked up the ball himself, handed it to Dončić, and ensured Thiero received the keepsake he had earned on his first night in the league.

For a rookie still finding his place, the gesture from one of the NBA’s most respected superstars turned a routine debut into something unforgettable.

What Thiero showed in limited minutes

Despite logging only a few minutes, Thiero displayed several traits the Lakers value in young wings:

• Above-average athleticism on cuts, transition plays, and closeouts
• High-energy defense, staying active in passing lanes
• Physical presence for his position, giving the team versatility

His transition dunk — a two-handed finish on the break — encapsulated the north-south explosiveness Los Angeles hopes to mold into a long-term rotation skill.

The main developmental question continues to be his outside shooting. His collegiate résumé at Kentucky and Arkansas showed inconsistent perimeter percentages, but the Lakers believe his mechanics are workable and his shooting can become reliable enough to force defenses to respect him.

If that happens, Thiero’s defensive tools, length, and athletic upside give him a legitimate pathway to a future rotation role.

Why this moment matters for the Lakers

With the Lakers carefully managing minutes and injuries — from Hachimura’s calf tightness to the long-awaited return of LeBron James — getting contributions from younger players has become an important part of the early-season storyline.

Thiero represents exactly the type of player who can thrive next to stars like Dončić and Austin Reaves: energetic, switchable, and willing to fill gaps rather than demand touches.

And thanks to Giannis, he now has a piece of memorabilia that marks the official beginning of his NBA journey.