The Hawks have seemingly joined the collection of teams frustrated with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free-throw shooting routine.
Atlanta, according to a report by The Athletic, is unhappy with the league’s consistency in overlooking Antetokounmpo’s extensive time spent at the line during the Eastern Conference Finals.
In the Hawks’ 116-113 Game 1 win over the Bucks on Wednesday, Antetokounmpo stood at the line between 11.5 seconds and 13.3 seconds on his eight attempts, according to Atlanta’s own internal count. Yet, the referees never made a call.
According to the NBA’s last two-minute report the next morning, Antetokounmpo’s final two free throw attempts (at the 3.5-second mark) should have been ruled as 10-second violations.
When The Athletic reached out for comment about the situation, an NBA spokesman cited the league’s policy of not commenting publicly on officiating regarding a singular player.
Despite the non-calls in Antetokounmpo’s dragged-out routine at the line, the league’s 10-second free throw rule is a real rule that teams and players continue to push — especially in the postseason.

According to NBA league rules, “When a free throw is awarded, an official shall put the ball in play by delivering it to the free throw shooter. The shooter shall be above the free throw line and within the upper half of the free throw circle. He shall attempt the free throw within 10 seconds of controlling the ball in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring.”
The penalty?
“If there is a violation and the free throw attempt is to remain in play, the opposing team shall inbound on either sideline at the free throw line extended. If both teams commit a violation during this free throw, a jump ball shall be administered at midcourt between any two opponents in the game. If the opponent’s violation is disconcertion, then a substitute free throw shall be awarded.”

Throughout the postseason, Antetokounmpo has been whistled twice for free throw violations. The first came on May 22, during the fourth quarter of Milwaukee’s Game 1 109-107 overtime win against Miami in the first round. The second was on June 10, late in the second quarter of Game 3 of the East semifinals against the Nets. The Bucks won that game, 86-83.
Following the May 22 violation, Antetokounmpo played coy about the matter.
“If it was a 10-second call, great call,” he said at the time. “Like, I’m going to keep doing my routine, keep trying to make my free throws. And if it’s 10 seconds, it’s gonna be 10 seconds. I’m gonna live with that.”
During the Bucks-Nets playoff series, fans in Brooklyn mocked Antetokounmpo’s extensive free-throw shooting routine. The Nets even joined in on the shade, when they put a giant countdown clock on the Jumbotron each time he was at the line. The NBA reportedly stepped in and ended the Nets’ trolling act.
At the time, Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash said the 10-second violation was “not being enforced,” and admitted, “If I really cared about it and put up a stink, do you think they would change, anyways? I doubt it.”
Game 2 of the Hawks-Bucks Eastern Conference Finals is set for Friday night in Milwaukee at 8:30 p.m. Atlanta has a 1-0 series lead.