Milwaukee — It's easy to forget that as recently as six days ago, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was suspicious of going on court for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The journey of more than two decades, which began in the humble Athens, Greece, neighborhood of Cepolia and led to the doorstep of an NBA title, was potentially halted by hyperextension of his left knee.
Antetokounmpo eventually played in Game 1 of the final against the Phoenix Suns, and less than a week later, that injury was undetected. On Sunday night, Antetokounmpo continued to dominate through the most important games of his life, as he ousted the Suns' defense for 41 points in Game 3. Milwaukee defeated Phoenix 120–100 to reduce the Suns' series lead to 2–1.
"I've seen him do this a lot," Bucks teammate khris Middleton said. "It doesn't surprise me. Watching him do this for a while, and now it's on the biggest stage and now everyone is getting a chance to see what he's doing; how hurt he is and He still finds a way to get out there and compete and be productive and be influential at the same time."
The final is the final chess match of basketball, as each team calibrates its strategy game for the game, quarter to quarter, even for possession. The Bucks changed their pick-and-roll coverage. The Sun erects walls of varying length and thickness to repel Antetokounmpo. Both teams try to optimize individual matchups.
But sometimes, the most important adjustment is proficiency.
The Bucks returned to Milwaukee and came alive on their home floors with solid shooting performances up and down the roster, led by Antetokounmpo. Six of Milwaukee's top seven players posted actual shooting percentages better than 55%, and the Bucks compiled their best effective field goal percentage as a team since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
No one was more skilled than Antetokounmpo. He relentlessly attacked the basket on his way to 41 points, shooting 14-for-23 from the field. According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, he is only the second player in the history of finals to record at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back games. He joined the select company of Shaquille O'Neill (2000 Finals).
Told that Michael Jordan played four consecutive 40-point games in the final, Antetokounmpo postponed:
"I'm not Michael Jordan."
Antetokounmpo was also the second player in history to score at least 25 points in the paint and 25 second-chance points in the final game in the last 10 postseasons, which included - guess what - O'Neill.
"I'm trying to enjoy the game right now, trying to play, trying to put myself in a position to be successful," Antetokounmpo said. "That's what I'm trying to do. You know, when I take each possession one at a time, when I have a possession in front of me, I try to put myself in a position to be successful.
"Sometimes, it's driving the ball. Sometimes, it's sealing in the lane. Sometimes, it's setting up a screen."
Part playmaker, part wrecking ball, Antetokounmpo perhaps turned in the signature performance of his career, which captured the full breadth of his skill set. He played a smooth, crisp game in which he executed assets deftly and was rarely out of control. When flooded from several defenders, he simply moved the ball back to Middleton or Jew Holiday or made an inside pass to Pat Connaughton or Bobby Portis.
When Antetokounmpo or a teammate missed a shot, he feasted on the offensive glass. His four offensive rebounds translated into 10 points - including a few more -1s.
"Whenever he has the ball on the perimeter and punts, he gets a lot of attention," Middleton said. "Just makes everything easier for everyone to be able to see the gaps and look open."
For all his exploits, Antetokounmpo has endured one of the more questionable stories of the postseason: his struggles at the free throw line. His shaky exhibitions there have invited ridicule from the protesting crowd and panic among Milwaukee loyalists. Coming into the final, he converted only 53.7% of his free throw attempts.
On Sunday, Antetokounmpo had to count to 10 and then some - as he threw 13 free throws. After working the line for the entire duration of the season, Antetokounmpo seemed more comfortable going 13-for-17 (76.5%) than the strip. With each consecutive game in the final, he has improved his shooting from the line.
Holiday's rise from his shooting slump delighted his teammates in Game 3. The Bucks point guard led the team defensively throughout the playoffs, and he put pressure on the Suns' defense with a dribble in Game 2, but Holiday failed to attempt a full offensive. in Phoenix. On Sunday, he ignited the Bucks in the third quarter, when he scored 24-6 to lead them to victory.
"We need to keep him playing like this," 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 figures out ways to be successful." Will stay."
While Holiday generated a high quality of shots on Sunday and Antetokounmpo exploited his physicality to maximum effect, the Bucks prevailed by creating a formula that fueled them for three seasons: sharpshooting beyond the arc; A physical brand of defense that covers the ground; and Antetokounmpo downhill barreling.
Antetokounmpo's demanding attention helps facilitate the first part, his instincts and quickness empower the second, and the third defies explanation. With each passing game in the Finals, the Bucks move closer to rediscovering their best selves.
"We got better from Game 1 to Game 2. And now we've gotten better from Game 2 to Game 3," Antetokounmpo said. "We have to keep building. Keep counting on each other. Count on winning habits. Keep making winning plays. Keep competing hard, and keep doing it together."
The Bucks now ride that upward trajectory in Game 4 on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET on ABC) in Milwaukee, with the knowledge that the series can't get any closer than 2-1.