Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as franchise scoring leader

NEW YORK — Giannis Antetokounmpo became the Milwaukee Bucks' all-time leading scorer on Thursday night by delivering the type of unbelievable performance that has defined his star-studded career.

Antetokounmpo broke Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's franchise mark of 14,211 points, scoring 44 points on Thursday to move his total to 14,216. As part of his monster night, he hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in regulation that helped force overtime and then drained two big free throws with three seconds left in the extra frame to seal a 120-119 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Antetokounmpo went 14-for-21 from the field, including 1-for-4 from 3-point range, and 15-for-19 from the free throw line while playing 39 minutes. He also had 14 rebounds and six assists.

«It's good because I'm changing the narrative,» Antetokounmpo said with a wink while discussing the record. «I don't want to be the guy only that dunks and runs. I can make a 3.»

Antetokounmpo's performance came two days after he had 42 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks and three assists in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He did it all for a Bucks team that lost Khris Middleton with 5:05 left in regulation after he was ejected for committing a flagrant foul 2 on Nets guard Bruce Brown.

Antetokounmpo's ability to raise his game has become so consistent that his teammates and coaches aren't even surprised anymore.

«That's definitely the MVP,» Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. «That's definitely Most Improved Player, which I'm not even sure he can get that at this point. He's improved his game a lot and it's shown — from the free throw line, to his fadeaway, to his 3-point shot. From last year to this year, it's so much better. I felt like us kind of hanging