Booker relieved Antetokounmpo settled for last-second jumper

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) protects the ball from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Booker relieved Giannis Antetokounmpo settled for last-second jumper

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Carlos Garcia | Last updated 2/11/21

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-124 on Wednesday night. With roughly 33 seconds left in the game, Suns star Devin Booker nailed one of his two free throws and gave his team a 125-124 lead.

After regaining possession, Booker missed a three and gave the ball back to Milwaukee with three seconds left in the game and the opportunity to steal a win.

Rather than driving toward the basket as he successfully had for much of the day, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo settled for a 20-footer, which he promptly missed: game over.

After the fact, Booker admitted that Antetokounmpo taking a jumper to win the game is precisely what his team was hoping for.

Devin Booker's thoughts when he saw Giannis Antetokounmpo pulling up from the midrange area for the potential game-winner: "We're in good shape."
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 11, 2021

The full question and answer from Book with the followup question and answer for the ~context~ pic.twitter.com/8gSUAAzOef

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 11, 2021

For context, Antetokounmpo finished the day with a game-high 47 points while making 15 of his 23 field-goal attempts. Much of that output was the byproduct of him effectively getting to the rim and Phoenix not being able to do much of anything defensively.

Whether Booker meant what he said as a shot or not, his larger point stands. If Antetokounmpo had driven to the basket on the final play, the likelihood of his team securing the victory would have increased significantly.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

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