Giannis Antetokounmpo: Setting a new standard for efficient scoring

Giannis Antetokounmpo already has one of the great nicknames in sports, “The Greek Freak," but he may have to get ready for a new nickname: “Mr. Efficient.”

In his most recent outing, Milwaukee’s 25-point win over New Orleans on Sunday night, Giannis had 50 points in 30:20 of playing time. He became only the seventh player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in less than 31 minutes played. He joined Klay Thompson (who did it twice in his career), C.J. McCollum, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Joel Embiid and Devin Booker.

Giannis is averaging 31.7 points per game this season in an average of 33.4 minutes played per game. He is on pace to average the fewest minutes played per game in a season with 30+ points scored per game. More on that in a second.

A look at Giannis' efficient scoring this season

Consider these scoring efficiency stats for Giannis this season:

• He has scored 30 or more points in 24 of his 39 games this season. He has played in less than 34 minutes in 13 of those 24 games.
• He has scored 40 or more points in 10 games; in four of those games, he played less than 34 minutes.
• He is one of 27 players in NBA history to score 40 or more points in a game in less than 30 minutes played.
• He ranks #1 in league history with the most 30-point games in less than 30 minutes of playing time. Giannis has 19 30-point games where he played less than 30 minutes.

As mentioned above, Giannis' stat line for this season is 31.7 points per game; he is averaging 33.4 minutes played per game. The fewest minutes played per game in a season by a player who averaged 30+ points is 33.8 held by Joel Embiid. The 76ers center last season averaged 30.6 points per game and averaged 33.8 minutes per contest.

Here are the NBA players who had 30-point scoring seasons with less than 35 minutes played per game. (Although the 2022-23 season has not ended, I have included Giannis and Embiid in this list with their current stats.)

Player                                     Points Per Game        Minutes Per Game          Season
 Giannis Antetokounmpo                    31.7                            33.4                 2022-23
 Joel Embiid                                         30.6                             33.8                2021-22
Steph Curry                                        32.0                             34.2                 2020-21
Steph Curry                                        30.1                             34.2                 2015-16
Russell Westbrook                             31.6                             34.6                 2016-17
Joel Embiid                                        33.6                             34.8                 2022-23

For the record, Giannis’ current scoring average of 31.7 is the highest of his career; his average of 33.4 minutes played per game is the fourth highest of his career.