Legendary performance by Giannis
MILWAUKEE – It’s easy to forget that just six days ago, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was in doubt to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. A journey of more than two decades that began in Athens, Greece, more precisely in the humble neighborhood of Sepolia, all the way to the doorstep of an NBA title was potentially stalled due to a hyperextension of his left knee.
Antetokounmpo finally played in the first matchup against Phoenix Suns, and less than a week later, that injury is undetectable. On Sunday night, Antetokounmpo continued to make noise through the biggest games of his life as he dismantled the Suns defense by scoring 41 points in Game 3. Milwaukee outscored Phoenix 120-100 to cut the Suns’ series lead to 2-1.
“I’ve seen him do a lot of things like this,” teammate Khris Middleton said. “It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him do this for a while now and now he’s repeating it on the biggest stage. Now everyone gets a chance to see what he goes through when he’s hurt: despite everything he still finds a way to go out there, to compete, to be productive and dominant at the same time.”
The Finals are the ultimate basketball chess match, as each team calibrates its strategy play game by game, quarter by quarter, possession by possession. The Bucks modify their pick-and-roll coverage. The Suns look to create a defensive wall to repel Antetokounmpo. Both teams try to optimize individual matchups.
But sometimes, the most important adjustment is competition.
The Bucks returned to Milwaukee and came alive at home with solid performances from every member of the roster led by Antetokounmpo. Six of Milwaukee’s top seven players posted true shooting percentages above 55%, and the Bucks compiled their best effective field goal shooting percentage as a team since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
No one was more efficient than Antetokounmpo. He attacked the basket relentlessly en route to his 41 points, hitting 14 of his 23 attempts. He is only the second player in Finals history to record at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games, according to ESPN Datos research. He joined the select company of Shaquille O’Neal who did it against Indiana Pacers in the 2000 Finals.
When told that Michael Jordan achieved four consecutive 40-point games in the Finals, Antetokounmpo responded:
“I’m not Michael Jordan.”
Antetokounmpo also became only the second player in history to score at least 25 points in the paint and rack up 10 second-chance points in a Finals over the last 25 postseasons, joining O’Neal again.
“I’m trying to enjoy the game, trying to play, trying to put myself in position to be successful,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s what I’m trying to do. You know, when I take every possession at a time, I’m trying to put myself in a position to be successful.
“Sometimes, I get to handle the ball. Sometimes, attack the rim. Sometimes, setting a screen.”
Antetokounmpo, part playmaker and part wrecking ball, turned in perhaps the most iconic performance of his career. One that captured the full breadth of his skill set. He implemented a crisp, intuitive game in which he executed possessions nimbly and was rarely seen out of control. When swamped by multiple defenders, he effortlessly moved the ball back to Middleton or Jrue Holiday or made an inside pass to Pat Connaughton or Bobby Portis.
When Antetokounmpo or a teammate missed a shot, he revelled in the offensive board. His four offensive rebounds translated into 10 points, including a pair of double-doubles + fouls.
“He draws a lot of attention every time he has the ball on the perimeter and in the paint,” Middleton said. “It just makes everything easier for others as far as seeing the gaps and being able to get open shots.”
For all his heroics, Antetokounmpo has endured one of the more dubious storylines of the postseason: his struggles at the free-throw line. His shaky exhibitions there have drawn ridicule from opposing crowds and dismay from the Milwaukee faithful. Coming into the Finals, he had converted just 53.7% of his free throw attempts.
On Sunday, Antetokounmpo tallied as many as 10 and then some, as he sank 13 free throws. After working at the line all postseason, Antetokounmpo looked more comfortable from that position, making 13 of 17 (76.5%). With each successive game in the Finals, he has improved his shooting from the line.
Holiday’s emergence from his shooting slump also delighted his teammates in Game 3. The point guard has led the team defensively throughout the playoffs, but Holiday was unable to put together a complete offensive effort in the two games played in Phoenix. On Sunday, he ignited the Bucks in the third quarter, when they mounted a 24-6 run that would carry them to victory.
“We need him to keep playing like that,” Antetokounmpo said of Holiday. “We trust him. He’s our leader. He’s our point guard. He’s one of our scorers. He’s one of our defenders. He’s a great basketball player and he’s going to continue to figure out ways to be successful.”
While Holiday generated better quality shooting Sunday and Antetokounmpo exploited his physicality to maximum effect, the Bucks prevailed by putting together a formula that has propelled them for three seasons: shooting from beyond the arc; a physical brand of defense covering all over the floor; and Antetokounmpo patrolling the basket.
The attention Antetokounmpo demands helps facilitate the first part, his instincts and quickness enhance the second, and the third defies explanation. In each game of these Finals, the Bucks have come a little closer to rediscovering their best.
“We got better from Game 1 to Game 2. And now we’re getting better from Game 2 to Game 3,” Antetokounmpo said. “We have to keep building. Continue to rely on each other. Keep relying on winning habits. Keep making winning plays, keep competing hard and keep doing it together.”
The Bucks now embark on that upward trajectory toward Game 4 on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET) in Milwaukee with the knowledge that the series can’t get any closer than 2-1.
