Kings show toughness, fight, in loss to first place Bucks

Trey Lyles sheepishly turned around in his locker stall to address the media following the Kings’ 133-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Tucked under his arm, the book American Psycho, by Bret Easton Ellis.

Lyles is known to always have a book with him. He’s an avid reader and he describes his latest choice as “a little different.” Did he have a Huey Lewis song playing in his head late in the game? Maybe one of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits?

Since joining the Kings last February in a multi-team trade that included Marvin Bagley going to the Detroit Pistons, Lyles has been a steady contributor and a major piece to the rotation. Monday night, in front of a packed Golden 1 Center, Lyles showed a different side of his personality.

In the waning moments of the game, with the outcome already decided, Lyles took exception to NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbling into him before the final horn sounded. In fact, the entire Kings team seemed to take exception, Lyles just happened to be the one to lash out.

“Giannis could have just dribbled the ball out, that’s all he had to do and nothing would have happened,” De’Aaron Fox said following the game.

Antetokounmpo didn’t just walk the ball across half court. He veered into Lyles, Lyles slapped at the ball, Giannis grabbed Lyles’ arm and then all hell broke loose. Hat tip to our good friend Sean Cunningham who had the camera rolling on the play.

Subscribe to Premium Membership to read the rest.