Bucks' Giannis Records Fastest 30-Point, 20-Rebound, 5-Assist Game in NBA History
Nov 21, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to etch his name into the record books at just 26 years old.
Antetokounmpo recorded 32 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in 30 minutes during Saturday's 117-108 win over the Orlando Magic. He's now the owner of the fastest 30-point, 20-rebound, 5-assist game since minutes started being tracked in 1951, per Elias Sports.
Giannis becomes the first player with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in less than 35 minutes since Willie Naulls in 1959! #NBA75@Giannis_An34: 32 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks in 30 minutes pic.twitter.com/K208KqDMYv
Giannis Antetokounmpo (32 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks) is the 5th player to reach those thresholds in regulation over the past 40 seasons. @EliasSports
The other 4 are DeMarcus Cousins, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon. pic.twitter.com/DOPYy7XbMz
It was also the third 30-point, 20-rebound, 5-assist game of Antetokounmpo's career. The only other players with more 30/20/5 games are Charles Barkley (8), Kevin Garnett (4) and Tim Duncan (4).
The two-time MVP entered Saturday's game averaging 27.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field.
Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo's COVID-19 Vaccine Status Concerned Bucks During Finals
Nov 18, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 109-102. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly quite concerned about Giannis Antetokounmpo's vaccination status before and during last season's NBA Finals.
Matt Sullivan of Rolling Stone reported "nobody outside of a small braintrust knew whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo was vaccinated against COVID-19."
One team official said, "We were very concerned that Giannis wasn't vaccinated and that, with all of this exposure from all these different people," he would eventually test positive.
Such a development would have been a massive blow to the team's championship chances, and the official said making sure he was negative was among the team's biggest priorities.
The rising case totals associated with the Delta variant was just one of the reasons for concern.
Milwaukee also expanded to two team planes to allow family members to travel to games and even participated in family dinners with guests after limiting such activities during the season. There were also large crowds in attendance at the indoor games in Phoenix and Milwaukee, which put players at higher risk.
It also wasn't just the Bucks, as Sullivan reported "upwards of a dozen people associated with" both teams tested positive. The positive tests included staff members, family members and Bucks player Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Milwaukee's star player.
"Hearing that the Suns also had issues, too, was a little bit scary," a league official who traveled with the Bucks said. "It felt like COVID just dropped back out of the sky, came out of nowhere and just tried its best to ruin the Finals."
Fortunately for Milwaukee, the NBA Finals unfolded as planned.
The Bucks won in six games, with Antetokounmpo taking home NBA Finals MVP in one of the most dominant performances in NBA history. He took over the closeout contest in Game 6 and ended up with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to clinch his first career championship.
Antetokounmpo has since revealed he is vaccinated to help protect himself and his family.
Milwaukee is looking to defend its title this season but is off to an inconsistent start at 7-8 despite defeating the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
Giannis Drops 47 in Dominant Performance as Bucks Beat Anthony Davis, Lakers
Nov 18, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
In the battle of the past two NBA champions on Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks came out victorious.
Led by another monster performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo and an inspired showing from Bobby Portis, the Bucks knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-102.
While Khris Middleton returned to action for the first time since Oct. 30 for Milwaukee (7-8), LeBron James missed his eighth straight game for the Lakers. Los Angeles (8-8) is just 4-4 in those contests.
Perhaps the Lakers' night could best be summed up by this Russell Westbrook gaffe:
Neither team will be particularly thrilled with how it's started the season. But the Bucks looked the part of the defending champions Wednesday, beating the short-handed Lakers.
Key Stats
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL: 47 points, nine rebounds, 18-of-23 from the field
Bobby Portis, MIL: 17 points, five rebounds
Khris Middleton, MIL: 16 points, six assists, five rebounds
Anthony Davis, LAL: 18 points, nine rebounds
Russell Westbrook, LAL: 19 points, 15 assists
Talen Horton-Tucker, LAL: 25 points, 12 rebounds
Giannis Is Downright Unstoppable
If this game was only two quarters, the Greek Freak would have had himself a game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has 28 points at halftime, the 2nd-most in a 1st half in his career.
He has nearly as many points in the paint (20) as the Lakers do as a team (22). pic.twitter.com/LfWzoWV7KN
That entire first half was Giannis staring Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and any other Laker in the face and deciding he's going to score over them, around them or through them.
But it lasted four, of course, giving Antetokounmpo the chance to add to his dominant first half. He didn't disappoint.
And in the superstar showdown between Giannis and AD, there was a pretty clear winner.
Giannis almost gets stripped but he recovers it for the dunk. But more importantly, just look at him just run through Davis. pic.twitter.com/S09YBpALsK
This man is a two-time MVP and the defending Finals MVP for a reason. Giannis doesn't miss an opportunity to remind the NBA world of his supremacy.
With LeBron Out, the Lakers Needed More from AD
In a game devoid of James, you would expect Davis or perhaps Westbrook to lead the Lakes in scoring. Instead, on Wednesday, it was Talen Horton-Tucker.
That isn't going to cut it, even if Davis was slightly hobbled at one point.
The Lakers say Anthony Davis took a knee to his hip -- he was moving gingerly late in the third quarter -- but he will return to tonight's game.
Davis' inability to take over the game, like his superstar counterpart Antetokounmpo, was the difference in this one. At some point, the Lakers are supposed to transition from being LeBron's team to one that follows AD.
Wednesday was another reminder that such a time hasn't come, at least not yet.
What's Next?
The Lakers stay on the road, traveling to Boston to face the Celtics on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Bucks are in action that same night, hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8 p.m. ET.
Bucks' Giannis Says He Still Feels 'Traumatic Stress' of Knee Injury from ECF Game 4
Nov 16, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles up the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Giannis Antetokounmpo avoided a catastrophic knee injury when he went down in Game 4 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but he says he's still feeling the aftereffects of his leg buckling.
âMy leg was the opposite way,â Antetokounmpo told Zach Baron of GQ. âTo this day, I feel the effect, the traumatic stress. I still feel it, and I think Iâm going to feel it until I die.â
Antetokounmpo went down with a frightening knee injury in the third quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, staying down on the floor for more than a minute before limping to the locker room. It seemed at the time like a potential worst-case scenario, but Antetokounmpo avoided major injury and was able to return for the NBA Finals, where he took home his first Finals MVP.
While Antetokounmpo hasn't shown any ill effects from the hyperextension, this is evidence of the discomfort athletes are likely playing with at all times. We constantly hear about recovery from ACL tears, but rarely about the minor, recurrent injuries that athletes play through every night.
It's the old hurt vs. injured adage. Antetokounmpo may never be 100 percent the same after the injuryâand it's possible it portends a more catastrophic injury later in his careerâbut he's still able to play at a high level, so little is said about the ailment.
Bucks' Giannis 'Chose' Milwaukee with New Contract: 'In Two Years, That Might Change'
Nov 16, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 31: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks warms up before the start of the second half at Fiserv Forum on October 31, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jazz defeated the Bucks 107-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be wedded to the Milwaukee Bucks for the entirety of his five-year, $228.2 million extension.
"I chose to stay here even with all the pressure because it's easier to leave," the two-time MVP told GQ's Zach Baron. "That's the easy thing to do. It's easy to leave."
However, Antetokounmpo conceded "the next challenge might not be here."
"Me and my family chose to stay in this city that we all love and has taken care of usâfor now," he said. "In two years, that might change. I'm being totally honest with you. I'm always honest. I love this city. I love this community. I want to help as much as possible."
The comments would've raised significantly more alarm bells in Milwaukee if the Bucks hadn't taken down the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Finals. Even though he had already signed the extension, the Bucks' failure to win a championship in 2020-21 would've reignited the conversation about his long-term future with the team.
Alex Saratsis, Antetokounmpo's agent, explained to Baron how things "might change" was less about the Bucks and more about the fact the 26-year-old has already achieved so much already.
In addition to his one championship and two MVPs, he's a five-time All-NBA player, four-time All-Defensive player, a Finals MVP, an All-Star MVP and the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year. The Greek star earned a place on the NBA's 75th anniversary team, and he's still in the prime of his career.
Nobody should be surprised if at a certain point Antetokounmpo might relish the opportunity to explore fresh scenery. And nobody knows what the state of the Bucks will be in a few years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder appeared to be on solid footing when Paul George re-signed in the 2018 offseason. One year later, George and Russell Westbrook were both traded as OKC kicked off a rebuild.
The Houston Rockets pushed the Golden State Warriors to the brink in the 2018 Western Conference Finals. By January 2021, James Harden waved the white flag and said he had "literally done everything I can" in pursuit of a title.
Rather than solidifying their status as a Finals contender in the Eastern Conference, landing Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in 2017 was the start of a tumultuous two-year run for the Boston Celtics.
Unlike the Bucks, the Thunder, Rockets and Celtics all fell short of their goal, and it seemed apparent they didn't have a strong path forward by maintaining the status quo. Milwaukee is off to a 6-8 start in 2021-22, but it's way too early to start arguing again about whether Antetokounmpo needs to leave to maximize his peak playing years.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out for Bucks vs. Celtics with Ankle Injury
Nov 12, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo plays during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play Friday night against the Boston Celtics.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Giannis had been listed as probable for the game with a sprained ankle before getting ruled out.
Giannis is off to another strong start this season, averaging 26.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per game in 12 contests.
Milwaukee has struggled a bit as a team out of the gates, though, with a 6-6 record, which is good for ninth in the Eastern Conference.
The 26-year-old battled through a hyperextended left knee in last year's postseason that cost him Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, both Bucks wins.
Antetokounmpo returned for the NBA Finals, though, and had a monster series, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest as the Bucks won the series in six games.
His Game 6 performance (50 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, 17-of-19 from the foul line) was one of the finest NBA Finals performances in league history.
"When I came to the league, I said 'I'm 18 years old, nobody believes in me, nobody thinks I can make it.'"
It's no surprise that the two-time MVP came up big, and continues to do so, for Milwaukee. So long as he's a Buckâand it seems likely he'll remain with the organization for the duration, or at least the majority, of his careerâthey'll be in contention.
With Giannis out for Friday's game, the Bucks' depth will be tested against the Celtics.
Milwaukee is also without All-Star forward Khris Middleton due to COVID-19 protocols, meaning head coach Mike Budenholzer will lean heavily on guard Jrue Holiday to be the go-to guy.
Forward Bobby Portis also figures to get a lot of run, as center Brook Lopez is out due to a back injury as well.
76ers' Doc Rivers Praises Giannis for Being 'Defiant' in Face of Free-Throw Woes
Nov 9, 2021
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers yells at a referee during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers offered praise to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in a pregame chat with reporters on Tuesday, specifically noting how the two-time NBA MVP persevered through his free-throw issues to lead his team to its first NBA title in 50 years.
Doc Rivers with extended praise of the way Giannis Antetokounmpo played in the playoffs last year. Said he was âdefiantâ in how he approached his free throw issues, and turned himself into the âmost dominant player in the NBAâ in the last two Finals games.
Antetokounmpo shot just 58.7 percent from the free-throw line in the 2021 playoffs but notably went 17-of-19 in the NBA Finals-clinching Game 6, which saw the 26-year-old score 50 points to lead the Bucks to a 105-98 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Rivers offered those remarks in advance of the 76ers' home game against the Bucks on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET from Wells Fargo Center.
The Bucks weren't the only team that had a star player struggle from the free-throw line last year.
Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons notably made just 34.2 percent of his free throws during the 2021 postseason as the 76ers, who entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the second round. He notably shot 4-of-14 in a 109-106 loss to the Hawks in Game 5.
Simmons has averaged 15.9 points per game over a career that has seen him make three All-Star Games and help lead the 76ers to the playoffs each of the past four years.
But his struggles at the end of the Hawks series were quite noticeable, to the point where he averaged just 6.3 points in the final three contests.
It's been a soap opera between Simmons and the 76ers for the better part of a year, with Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports breaking it all down. At this moment, he is away from the team.
As for Tuesday, the 8-3 76ers are looking to extend their lead atop the Eastern Conference while the 4-6 Bucks look to break a two-game losing streak.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA Champion Bucks Visit President Biden at the White House
Nov 8, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 08: U.S. President Joe Biden (L) receive a jersey from Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry (R) as player Giannis Antetokounmpo (C) watches during an event where Biden honored the Bucks for winning the 2021 NBA Championship, on the South Lawn at the White House on November 08, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns to win the 2021 NBA Championship. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks visited the White House to celebrate their championship from the 2020-21 season, making them the first NBA team to do so since the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
"To all the players, that's what you represent for so many people: Pride. Pride and decency," President Joe Biden said in his speech. "Just look at the enduring images during the Finals. Thousands of fans celebrating in the Deer District. ... You represented yourselves and your fans, your families and your organization and a great American city by staying true to who you are."
The Bucks, as is tradition, gave President Biden an honorary jersey:
The president also had a few jokes for the Bucks players, including Jrue Holiday:
President Biden, to the Bucksâ Jrue Holiday, in mentioning Holidayâs wife, the superstar soccer player and champion Lauren Holiday: âyouâre good. But you married way up, pal.â
âWhat a hell of a family ... I think you won the gene pool.â
â President Biden jokes to Milwaukee Bucks star and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis and Thanasis join their brother Kostas as NBA champions. pic.twitter.com/Jl0W57WakO
"This is a great example that with hard work, with sacrifices, if you dedicate yourself and waking up every single day and try to get better in anything you do, in anything you love, and believe in your dreams, you can accomplish great things in life," superstar and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo said in his speech. "I've done that my whole life, and I'm in the White House. This is us. You can never take moments like that for granted, but without hard work that would not be possible."
Giannis' speech at the White House celebrating the Bucks' championship đ https://t.co/OJ3h5BVdzx
The previous four championsâthe Golden State Warriors (twice), Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakersâall skipped the White House visit during the presidency of Donald Trump.
The former president had disinvited the Warriors in 2017 after Stephen Curry told reporters he wasn't interested in visiting the White House and Kevin Durant said he didn't "respect who's in office right now."
The Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns in six games to win the 2020-21 NBA title. Antetokounmpo was brilliant in the clinching Game 6, posting 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. For the series, he averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks and shot 61.8 percent from the field.
It was the sort of performance more than worthy of a trip to the White House.
Anthony Edwards on Giannis: 'We Put 4 People on Him and He'll Still Score the Ball'
Oct 28, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots against Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA game at Fiserv Forum on October 27, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
If nothing else, Anthony Edwards is the most honest player in the NBA.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard was asked about defending Giannis Antetokounmpo following Monday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks and gave a perfectly unfiltered explanation of what it's like playing against the two-time MVP.
"With a guy like that, you canât stress about him scoring. Thatâs what he gonna do. Motherf--ker's 7â2", 280 pounds. There ainât nothing you can do about it. Like s--t, we put four people on him, and he still score the ball. I was telling [Leandro Bolmaro] todayâbecause we played against him last yearâIâm like, 'Bruh, I ainât never seen nothing like it.' You can put four people on him, he might miss it, jump right back up and dunk that bih ... Heâs unstoppable. I donât know what to say."
Antetokoumpo finished with 40 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks' 113-108 loss to Minnesota, which is off to a surprising 3-1 start this season. Edwards had 25 points, his third time in four games with at least 25.
But the real takeaway from this game is that Edwards has an incredible future in scouting. Whenever he decides to hang up his shoes, he could make a killing on Patreon by giving his colorful descriptions of players' games.
Let's hope we get a few more scouting reports from Edwards moving forward.
