MILWAUKEE — It was a homecoming of sorts in Milwaukee yesterday with the return of Malcolm Brogdon.
Milwaukee plays next on Christmas day against east rival Philadelphia.
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A homecoming that Giannis Antetokounmpo spoiled with 18 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks blew out the Indiana Pacers 117-89.
Brogdon was met with cheers from his former home crowd but was just 5 of 19 from the field, scoring 10 points with 10 assists and five turnovers. The 27-year-old came in averaging career highs at 18.7 points, 7.5 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
Milwaukee drafted Brogdon in the second round back in 2016. He spent his first three seasons there before the Bucks opted to send him to Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal instead of re-signing the restricted free agent.
“I would have loved (to continue) to play for this team if they had wanted me, if they had valued me the way the Pacers valued me,” Brogdon said before the game.
Last season, the 6-foot-5 guard became the eighth member of the NBA’s 50-40-90 club (shooting at least 50% from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 90% from the free-throw line).
The other members on that list: Larry Bird with the Boston Celtics, Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Reggie Miller with the Pacers, Steve Nash with the Phoenix Suns and Dirk Nowitzki with the Dallas Mavericks.
Brogdon signed a 4-year, $85-million contract with the Pacers, at an average salary of $21.25 million a season.
The Bucks are now two games ahead of the LA Lakers for the best record in the NBA at 27-4. The Pacers, riddled with injuries all season, still have the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
TOP PHOTO: Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon battles for a loose ball with Milwaukee Bucks’ Donte DiVincenzo, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 117-89. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)