Enes Kanter already appeared to be ticked off heading into Thursday's rematch with the Bucks. Throw in Giannis Antetokounmpo and that's enough to start some trouble.
Kanter, who started the game on the bench in favor of Luke Kornet, was ejected in the fourth quarter of the Knicks' 112-96 loss after getting into a heated exchange with Antetokounmpo.
With the Knicks down 91-82 in the fourth quarter, the Greek Freak drove to the net only to crash into Kanter's left arm, sending the Bucks forward straight to the floor. Kanter then gave him a look and things escalated from there, with the two exchanging words before being separated by members of the coaching staff.
Giannis and Enes Kanter got heated 👀 pic.twitter.com/mnVbVeBAUH
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 28, 2018
Kanter left the court to get stitches for his eye, saying after the game that he wasn't aware the refs booted him.
"I got ejected, really?" he said. "For what? I mean, I got to respect the refs, but wow. I got my eyes stitched."
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Kanter was incensed inside the postgame locker room, complaining to reporters that Bucks assistant coach Darvin Ham knocked him from behind during the fracas.
Kanter finished with eight points and five rebounds, while the youngster Kornet led the team with 23 points and seven three-pointers.
The Greek Freak has developed some recent bad blood with the Knicks, specifically with Mario Hezonja. During their matchup on Dec. 1, Hezonja dunked over Antetokounmpo and stepped over him, prompting the latter to threaten Hezonja with a punch to the groin in their next meeting.
The two didn't end up meeting during the teams' Christmas tilt at the Garden.
But if Giannis was looking for more beef with the Knicks, he can thank Kanter.