Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a one-man wrecking crew through the first two games of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Sadly for the Bucks, his heroics haven't been enough to get them on the win column.
Antetokounmpo has tallied 70 points, 30 rebounds and eight assists through the first two games, becoming the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 to reach those numbers.
Those numbers haven't mattered at all. The "Greek Freak" is the fourth player in NBA history to average 35 points and 15.0 rebounds through the first two games of a series that both ended in losses.
According to ESPN Stats & Research, only three players had achieved the unwanted feat before: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970 Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks), Cliff Hagan (1961 St. Louis Hawks vs. Boston Celtics) and Chamberlain (1961 Philadelphia Warriors vs. Syracuse Nationals).
Giannis Antetokounmpo in the playoffs:
— Real Sports (@realapp_) April 23, 2025
70 PTS
30 REB
8 AST
The last player to reach these numbers in the first 2 games of a postseason was Wilt in 1967. pic.twitter.com/VDq333zROB
With each passing game, it's becoming clearer that Antetokounmpo is on an island devoid of credible help.
Through the first two games, he has outscored the rest of the Bucks starters (70 to 54), attempted more than double the free throws (25 to 12) and collected double the rebounds (30 to 15), all while shooting at a vastly better clip from the floor (65 percent to 36 percent).
The worrying trend dates back to the last few postseasons when the Bucks suffered back-to-back first-round defeats. Antetokounmpo is 0-6 in his previous six healthy playoff games despite tallying monster numbers.
Giannis in his last 6 healthy playoff games:
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) April 23, 2025
34.8 PPG
53% FG
17.2 RPG
6.5 APG
0-6 record pic.twitter.com/LQC7rmirK5
Antetokounmpo got Damian Lillard back in Game 2, but his co-star was rusty in his first game since March 18. The All-Star guard shot 4-of-13 from the floor for 14 points and was a minus-7 on the floor in a 123-115 loss.
Entering this year's playoffs, Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks was one of the biggest storylines to monitor. If the Bucks get bounced out of the first round again, the chatter of the two-time MVP departing from Milwaukee is expected to grow louder. Per several insiders, the Nets are among the teams expected to pursue him this offseason.
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