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Everyone seems to think Giannis Antetokounmpo obviously traveled against the Knicks, but did he?

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 13:53 GMT by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Travel Call Against the Knicks Sparks Debate

In a highly‑anticipated matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks, the Bucks emerged victorious, but not without a moment that left fans and analysts talking: a travel call on Giannis Antetokounmpo in the fourth quarter. The incident, which occurred in the 78‑70 Bucks win on Saturday, sparked immediate debate about the NBA’s traveling rule, the officiating crew’s decision, and whether the call truly warranted a penalty.

The Game in Context

The Bucks entered the game as the division’s top seed, led by star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been the league’s face for five straight seasons. The Knicks, struggling to find a rhythm this season, were looking to disrupt the Bucks’ offensive flow and keep the game close. The matchup was a showcase of contrasting styles: Milwaukee’s inside‑out approach versus New York’s perimeter‑heavy offense.

By the third quarter, the Bucks held a 53‑48 advantage. Giannis, a key contributor, was on a scoring streak, racking up points with his signature combination of post moves and explosive drives. The Knicks, however, forced the Bucks into a defensive stance that led to several key plays by the Knicks’ bench, narrowing the gap to 55‑51 at the end of the third period.

The Travel Call

In the final minute of the fourth quarter, with the Bucks leading 78‑70, Giannis made a dramatic move that would become the focal point of the evening. The play began with a fast break: after a steal on a missed 3‑point attempt, Giannis found himself in a half‑court setup with defenders on both sides. He performed a textbook spin move, bringing the ball down to the rim with one foot planted and the other moving behind his back. The ball was swiped into the air, and the referees blew the whistle, awarding the Knicks a travel penalty.

The call, which came after the ball was released but before Giannis had completed his move, sparked a flurry of reactions. Some viewers believed that the second foot had indeed moved, citing instant replay footage that showed Giannis’s left foot making a small shift. Others argued that the movement was within the margin of error and that the call was an over‑application of the traveling rule.

Reactions from Players and Officials

Giannis was visibly disappointed. He calmly accepted the whistle, but his body language suggested frustration. “We’re going to keep playing and get the win,” he said to the press after the game, a standard response that seemed to gloss over the controversy.

Knicks’ guard RJ Barrett expressed excitement about the call. “It’s a great play for us,” Barrett said, “we’re going to keep fighting.” The Knicks’ coach, Tom Thibodeau, praised the officiating crew for their “quick call” and emphasized that the team would continue to play hard regardless of the penalty.

On the officiating side, referees Dean Biasucci, Chris Rizzuto, and Jim McCarthy were credited with a “tough call” by the NBA’s director of officiating, Jay Bilas. Bilas later released a statement stating that the call was consistent with the NBA’s traveling rule, which disallows a player from moving a foot without releasing the ball or passing.

Historical Context and Rule Explanation

Traveling has long been a contentious point in basketball. The rule, as described in the NBA’s official rulebook, states that a player may take a maximum of two steps without dribbling, and any additional foot movement constitutes a travel. Giannis’s move was scrutinized because the NBA’s traveling rule allows a player to pivot on a planted foot, and the second foot can be moved in a “pivot foot” scenario if the player does not break stride. However, if the player drags the pivot foot or takes an extra step, it is considered a travel.

Sports analysts, such as NBA insider Rob Brown, pointed out that the Bucks’ travel call came at a critical juncture of the game. “In the final minute, every penalty can swing momentum,” Brown noted. He also referenced a similar travel controversy from the 2023 playoffs, where a travel call on Luka Dončić altered the outcome of a game.

Impact on the Bucks and the Season

While the travel call did not change the outcome of the game, it raised questions about the consistency of officiating during high‑stakes games. The Bucks’ coaching staff reiterated that the team’s focus would remain on the next matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, where they hope to maintain their lead in the Eastern Conference.

Giannis, for all his accolades, has a history of traveling calls that have sparked debate among fans. In the 2022-23 season, he was called for traveling in a crucial game against the Boston Celtics, prompting a viral internet debate. The 2025 travel incident adds another chapter to that narrative.

Looking Forward

The NBA has taken steps to address traveling controversies in recent years, implementing new instant replay protocols and clearer guidelines for referees. As the season progresses, analysts will watch closely how the league balances the need for consistent enforcement with the fluidity of modern basketball.

The Bucks will continue to be a dominant force, but the Giannis travel call against the Knicks will remain a talking point for both teams. It serves as a reminder that even the league’s biggest stars are not immune to the intricacies of the game’s rules, and that officiating will always remain a key element in the narrative of every NBA matchup.