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What hyperextended knee? That’s the question the Phoenix Suns are asking after Giannis Antetokounmpo put up an absolutely dominating performance in a must-win Game 3 outing of the NBA Finals for the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the Bucks down 2-0 in the series and hosting their first NBA Finals game in half-century, the Greek Freak had them rocking at Fiserv Forum Sunday evening.
Pretty much from the jump, Giannis Antetokounmpo was on a different planet in comparison to the Suns. One could even say that he was in his own little galaxy — an alien of sorts from an exoplanet.
Giannis dropped 34 points in the first three quarters, including 16 points in the first 12 minutes coming out of the break. That span saw Milwaukee outscore the Suns 38-31 to take a commanding 98-76 lead heading into the fourth. It was something to behold.
Giannis picking up in the 2nd half where he left off!
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2021
He's got 23.. #NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/DGRLOQmZQQ
When all was said and done, Milwaukee avoided complete collapse in the series by virtue of a 120-100 home win. For his part, the two-time NBA MVP scored 41 points on 14-of-23 shooting while adding 13 rebounds and six assists in a virtuoso performance. Heck, he made 13-of-17 from the charity stripe.
He made a ton of history in the process, too. Antetokounmpo became just the fourth player in NBA Finals history with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists after three quarters. He joins Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant and LeBron James on that exclusive list.
The star forward is also just the sixth player in NBA Finals history with consecutive 40-point games. The other five? King James, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s just absurd.
Based largely on Devin Booker’s struggles (3-of-14 shooting), the Suns really had no counter in this one. Giannis’ performance also comes after he dropped 42 in a losing effort to Phoenix back in Game 2 and makes this a completely new series.
Giannis in Game 2 and Game 3 is basically telling us to bring in the construction crew, blow the roof out and raise whatever we thought his ceiling was. This is ridiculous ridiculous stuff.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 12, 2021
We’re witnessing greatness in Giannis Antetokounmpo right now
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) July 12, 2021
Giannis from the FT line tonight pic.twitter.com/2elDKry0dm
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 12, 2021
Giannis, Jrue, and Khris have scored or assisted on 96 of Milwaukee's 98 points through 3 quarters.
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) July 12, 2021
MJ. Bron. KD. Giannis. pic.twitter.com/uzT3aFFtxa
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) July 12, 2021
Biggest game of Giannis Antetokounmpo's life and he is delivering in a major way. Really impressive performance so far.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 12, 2021
Giannis is playing exceptionally well for a Robin
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) July 12, 2021
This is as forceful a game as I’ve seen Giannis play. Recognizing the moment, the urgency, the desperation
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) July 12, 2021
More must-reads:
- Watch: Cam Johnson has huge dunk on P.J. Tucker
- The 25 best NBA nicknames of all time
- The 'NBA Finals MVPs' quiz
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