Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo heaped praise on Kevin Durant after KD and the Brooklyn Nets came from behind to beat the Bucks in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Giannis said of Durant: "He's the best player in the world right now."

With Kyrie Irving out injured and James Harden playing at well below 100 percent, Durant took over the game Tuesday, posting a triple-double with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks in a 114-108 win that gave Brooklyn a 3-2 series lead.

The Nets trailed by 16 at halftime, but KD took over and willed Brooklyn to victory despite the team being shorthanded.

It marked a massive and much-needed rebound for Durant, who shot under 40 percent in each of the previous two games—both wins for the Bucks. On Tuesday, Durant shot 69.6 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from deep and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line.

While Irving did not play in Game 5 because of an ankle injury, Durant did get a somewhat unexpected reinforcement in Harden, who had been out since suffering a hamstring injury early in Game 1 of the series.

Harden went from "out" to "doubtful" to "questionable" over the course of the day and went on to play a remarkable 46 minutes. However, he clearly wasn't himself, as he went just 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-8 from long range, finishing with just five points, eight assists and six rebounds.

With Harden playing nowhere near his usual MVP-caliber level, it was up to Durant to put the team on his shoulders.

Giannis, the 2019 and 2020 MVP, had a great game in his own right, finishing with a team-high 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds and four assists.

After the game, he was asked about guarding KD in a do-or-die game, to which he told reporters, "I want to take on the challenge."

Durant vs. Giannis was a much-talked-about matchup entering the series.

Durant, the 2014 MVP, is a two-time Finals MVP from his time with the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, Giannis has yet to push his team past the Eastern Conference Finals, and losing to the Nets in the second round would represent another failure on his playoff resume.

After watching Durant light his team up in Game 5, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer may have no choice but to put Giannis on KD in Thursday's Game 6 and hope he can carry the team both offensively and defensively.

Kevin Durant is an absolute marvel and was essentially unstoppable as he posted a triple-double of 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists while leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday's Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. That said, it was hard to ignore one thing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team this season, wasn't guarding him as he put up those numbers.

That may change in Thursday's Game 6.

"He's the best player in the world right now," Antetokounmpo told reporters when talking about Durant. He also said, "I want to take on the challenge," when discussing the possibility of guarding the Nets star in the next contest.

That Antetokounmpo wasn't guarding Durant down the stretch of Tuesday's game was just one of the list of issues for the Bucks as they blew a 17-point lead.

They never ran consistent double teams Durant's way as he continued to torch their defense with an array of midrange jumpers, threes and drives to the basket. They also didn't help much off James Harden, who was a shell of himself on his way to three points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field in his return from a hamstring injury.

Offensively, Antetokounmpo settled far too often, including when he shot a fadeaway instead of attacking Harden when he had the injured star on the block in the fourth quarter.

Antetokounmpo also missed multiple free throws down the stretch and couldn't catch a pass from Khris Middleton in the final seconds while trailing by two.

Perhaps switching the four-time All-Defensive selection onto Durant will help change the momentum in this series because it is firmly on Brooklyn's side. Antetokounmpo can at least bother Durant's pull-up jumpers with his length and figures to be athletic and long enough to stay in front of him on plenty of drives.

If it doesn't work, the Bucks will be left thinking about what could have been from Tuesday's game. 

Rather than holding onto the lead and putting a Nets squad that is dealing with multiple high-profile injuries on the brink of elimination, the Bucks gave an all-time great player nothing but confidence and are now staring at the end of their season as they return home for Game 6.

Not even the absence of Kyrie Irving could stop the Brooklyn Nets from winning at home in their second-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Brooklyn overcame a 17-point deficit and seized a 3-2 lead with a 114-108 victory in Tuesday's pivotal Game 5 at Barclays Center. Kevin Durant was brilliant and led the way for the Nets, who are one win away from their first trip to the conference finals since the 2002-03 season.

Solid showings from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday weren't enough for the Bucks, who now must win two in a row to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in three years.

Notable Player Stats

• Kevin Durant, F, BKN: 49 PTS, 17 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK
• Jeff Green, F, BKN: 27 PTS, 3 AST, 7-of-8 3PT
• Blake Griffin, F, BKN: 17 PTS, 3 REB
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, MIL: 34 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK
• Khris Middleton, F, MIL: 25 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB
• Jrue Holiday, G, MIL: 19 PTS, 8 AST, 3 REB

Durant Takes Over During Legendary Showing

The Nets may have the most talent in the entire league on paper, but Irving, James Harden and Durant played just eight games together during the regular season. It's been more of the same in the playoffs with Harden (hamstring) missing the first four against the Bucks and Irving (ankle) sitting out Tuesday's contest.

Still, the return of Harden figured to be a significant boost and meant Durant wouldn't have to shoulder as much of the offensive responsibility as the only one of the three stars on the floor.

Instead, things were disjointed from the start. Brooklyn managed a measly 15 points in the first quarter as Harden failed to find his shot and turned it over multiple times. He also settled for outside looks and wasn't in attack mode, which indicated he wasn't feeling 100 percent.

Turns out, Durant did need to be the brightest star even with Harden on the floor.

He did a little bit of everything to keep the Nets within striking distance during their abysmal first half by aggressively seeking out his shot, battling for boards and impressing on the defensive end. Jeff Green and Blake Griffin also provided critical secondary scoring as the home team came charging back in the third quarter to put itself in position to win.

Durant fully shifted into takeover mode from there and gave his side the lead with an array of pullups and threes. He was also a willing facilitator and the best rebounder on the floor as he put the game squarely on his back while playing every minute in an incredible performance.

It was fitting, then, that the future Hall of Famer drilled a ridiculous off-balance three to push the lead to four in the last minute and then helped ice the win on the line. It was a legendary playoff performance and one that will not soon be forgotten if the Nets do win the championship.

Giannis, Bucks Collapse Down the Stretch

This series looked hopeless for the Bucks when they lost by 39 points in Game 2 to fall down 2-0 even though Harden had yet to play.

Rather than fold against a team loaded with starpower, Milwaukee grinded out a defensive slugfest in Game 3 and maintained momentum in Game 4 on both ends of the floor. It was more of the same out of the gates Tuesday as the defense held Harden scoreless in the first half and swarmed to shooters on the perimeter.

Antetokounmpo was also ruthlessly efficient while driving the lane and even hit a three-pointer, while Middleton and Holiday each connected on multiple threes. Throw in Pat Connaughton providing a spark off the bench, and the visitors were up by 16 at the half and seemingly in control.

Although Harden wasn't himself and Irving was sidelined, it was just a matter of time before Brooklyn went on a run even, though Milwaukee delayed it with Brook Lopez hitting three-pointers, Middleton attacking and Holiday facilitating.

Even with that run, the Bucks had the chance to respond and put the Nets on the brink of elimination as they entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead. It was also a golden opportunity to make a statement as a title contender and move past some of the criticism they received for an ugly second-round loss to the Miami Heat last season.

The collapse was all the more painful for the Bucks with that as the backdrop.

The fourth quarter was a rotating door of mistakes, as the defense had no answer for Durant and Antetokounmpo forced the issue with an ill-advised pullup three and fadeaway over an injured Harden. He also couldn't handle a pass around the rim down two in the final seconds and missed multiple free throws in the last two minutes before fouling out.

What's Next?

The series returns to Milwaukee for Game 6 Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Add an All-NBA first team selection to Nikola Jokic's list of accomplishments during the 2020-21 season.

The league MVP headlined the list of All-NBA selections, which were revealed ahead of Tuesday's second-round showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. Jokic was joined by Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard on the first team.

Joel Embiid and LeBron James headlined the All-NBA second team, while Kyrie Irving was included on the third team:

The positional restraints in place when naming the All-NBA teams is always a storyline, although Brad Botkin of CBS Sports noted there was an adjustment for some players who were All-NBA eligible at multiple positions.

Embiid was the most notable one of those, as the Philadelphia 76ers big man was eligible as a forward despite playing center for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed. That meant he wasn't in direct competition with Jokic at the center spot, even if he was one of the primary competitors for the league MVP until the Nuggets star pulled away from the field by the end of the season.

Still, injuries held him back in the MVP race and may have in the All-NBA selections as well given his spot on the second team.

Elsewhere, James played just 45 games, which was the lowest mark of his career. The Los Angeles Lakers star was hampered by an ankle injury and also fell out of the MVP race despite being one of the early frontrunners.

However, missing so much time didn't prevent him from making the 17th All-NBA team of his illustrious career. The four-time champion has made the All-NBA first team 13 times, but, much like when he dealt with injuries in 2018-19 as a third-teamer, he had to settle for second team this season.

James is one of eight All-NBA selections who are no longer playing for a championship after his Lakers lost in the first round to the Phoenix Suns.

That is not the case for Antetokounmpo, Embiid, Chris Paul, Leonard, Rudy Gobert, Irving and Paul George, who are all still alive in the playoffs. They were each recognized for their individual abilities with Tuesday's announcement, but they would surely all trade it for a championship as the playoffs continue.

Fresh off winning his third Defensive Player of the Year award, Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert on Monday headlined the NBA's All-Defensive team for the 2020-21 season.

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and the Milwaukee Bucks duo of Jrue Holiday and Giannis Antetokounmpo joined him on the first team.

The Sixers held opponents to 45.3 percent shooting and ranked second in defensive rating (107.0), per NBA.com. Naturally, they got rewarded with three of the 10 spots.

This isn't new territory for Simmons and Joel Embiid, who collectively now have five All-Defensive nods. For Matisse Thybulle, this could be the first of many times he's recognized as one of the top defenders in the NBA.

The second-year guard averaged 3.9 steals per 100 possessions, according to Basketball Reference. He also held opposing players to 37.2 percent shooting from the floor and 31.2 percent from beyond the arc, per NBA.com.

In general, the first and second All-Defensive teams included the usual suspects. Thybulle was the only first-timer, while Simmons and Bam Adebayo were the only two who had been recognized just once already. Jimmy Butler earned his fifth nod.

Kawhi Leonard was the most experienced of the bunch, earning an All-Defensive selection for the seventh time.

The Los Angeles Clippers star was the closest to missing out. Leonard collected eight first-team and 27 second-team votes to amass 43 points. Still, 19 points separated him from the next forward, Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner.

Phoenix Suns wing Mikal Bridges earned the most points (39) of other players who received votes. He tallied four first-team votes and 31 second-team votes.

Bridges might be disappointed by missing out, but he can console himself by focusing on the Suns' Western Conference Finals series. The 24-year-old is also eligible for an extension this summer, so he could be looking at a big payday in the near future.

The Milwaukee Bucks continued to hold serve on their home court against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, notching a 107-96 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to even the series at 2-2.

The win helped the Bucks avoid the brink of elimination as the series shifts back to Brooklyn for Game 5. Only 13 teams have ever come back to win a series after going down 3-1. However, the Denver Nuggets did it twice last year, becoming the first team ever to win back-to-back series after falling to 3-1. Milwaukee won't have to try to add itself to that list with a solid Game 4 performance.

Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo totaled 53 points, while Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving combined for 39.

James Harden missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury after playing just the opening minutes of Game 1. Irving exited early in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return to the floor.

Notable Performers

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, Milwaukee Bucks: 34 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists

Jrue Holiday, PG, Milwaukee Bucks: 14 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds

Kevin Durant, SF, Brooklyn Nets: 28 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists

Kyrie Irving, PG, Brooklyn Nets: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Giannis Regains Control In Game 4

Antetokounmpo noticeably tried to expand his skill set in Game 3, launching eight attempts from behind the arc—his most in any game this postseason. It was a good idea, in theory, with Brooklyn keying in on him in the paint, but that hardly matched the reality.

The two-time MVP sank just one attempt from behind the arc, shooting 14-of-31 overall, and the Bucks escaped with an 86-83 win. On Sunday, with a chance to even the series, the Greek Freak got back to what he does best: dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.

Antetokounmpo was as unstoppable around the rim as he's been at any point this season. Despite continually taking off-balance shots and playing through foul trouble, there was little stopping the 26-year-old from picking apart the Nets defense in the paint.

The highlights speak for themselves.

Antetokounmpo missed just one look inside the restricted area with a finger-roll attempt falling short. Everything else was put through the hoop with the signature authority Antetokounmpo is known for.

But just as important as Antetokounmpo's commitment to getting in the lane was his recognition that the Nets were giving him open looks from deep for a reason. Antetokounmpo took just five three-point attempts Sunday, knocking down one.

It was the right adjustment as Milwaukee outscored the Nets 38-36 in the paint. It also helped create more space for some of the Bucks' more reliable three-point shooters to find their spots as Antetokounmpo continued to draw the defense toward him anytime he drove.

The Bucks may have shot 16-of-47 from behind the arc for the game, but those looks were created in the exact manner Milwaukee needed to in order to compete with the Nets.

All of that starts with Antetokounmpo's ability to create any look for himself in tight thanks to otherworldly length and athleticism.

After getting routed in Games 1 and 2 on the road, the Bucks finally simplified their offense at home and forced Brooklyn to adjust as the series heads back to New York.

Brooklyn's Vanishing Big 3

Game 4 started out with Brooklyn welcoming Jeff Green back to the floor for the first time in six games. Those good vibes were gone midway through the second quarter as Irving limped back to the Nets' locker room with an ankle sprain.

It might not have been the absolute worst-case scenario for head coach Steve Nash, but it was pretty close to it.

Not only did the loss of Irving completely stall out Brooklyn's offense, but what looked like a healthy and deep Nets bench heading into the postseason has found itself nearly depleted in both categories after just nine games.

After deciding earlier in the season it would be best for the team if Harden handled point guard duties, a hamstring injury in Game 1 against Milwaukee forced Irving back to the 1-spot as he and Durant attempted to steady the rotation.

While it's unclear how long Irving may be out going forward, what's obvious is the strain it puts on a backcourt already missing Harden and Spencer Dinwiddie. Mike James, Chris Chiozza and Landry Shamet will have to pick up the slack as the remaining healthy bodies available to Nash.

It won't be an easy task.

From the time Irving exited midway through the second quarter to just under 10 minutes left in regulation, the Nets offense went 12-of-32 from the field, 0-of-10 from behind the arc and committed eight turnovers.

That put Nash in the unenviable position of having to pull his starters early in the fourth quarter and essentially begin regrouping for Game 5.

Just how many players the Nets will have available by their next tipoff remains to be seen. They certainly didn't have enough to contend with Milwaukee by the end of Sunday's matchup. If Harden and Irving can't return soon, the Nets may find themselves trailing in the series after taking a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven.

What's Next?

Game 5 returns to Barclays Center on Tuesday at TNT. No tipoff time has been announced as of Sunday afternoon.

It was home sweet home for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

Milwaukee is on the board in its second-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets following a dramatic 86-83 victory in Thursday's Game 3 at Fiserv Forum. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks, who still trail 2-1 but bounced back nicely from a blowout loss in Game 2.

While the other two players spearheaded the effort, it was Jrue Holiday who put them ahead for good with a clutch shot in the lane in the final seconds. Brooklyn could have forced overtime on its final possession, but Kevin Durant missed a desperation three-pointer.

Solid showings from Durant, Bruce Brown and Kyrie Irving weren't enough for the Nets, who were once again without James Harden.

Notable Player Stats

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, MIL: 33 PTS, 14 REB, 1-of-8 3PT
• Khris Middleton, F, MIL: 35 PTS, 15 REB
• Kevin Durant, F, BKN: 30 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL
• Kyrie Irving, G, BKN: 22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL
• Bruce Brown, F, BKN: 16 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST

Hot Start, Khris Middleton's Finish Propels Bucks to Win

There's nothing like a 39-point loss in the middle of the playoffs to find out what kind of resiliency a team brings.

The pressure was all on Antetokounmpo and the Bucks after their embarrassing performance in Game 2, and the two-time MVP was ready from the start. He attacked the space Brooklyn gave him instead of settling for jumpers and unleashed multiple dunks right out of the gate by powering his way to the rim and bullying defenders in his way.

Throw in Middleton catching fire from three, and the home team jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter with its two go-to options doing all the scoring.

And then somehow it all went out the window in the second quarter, as Milwaukee managed just 15 points in the second quarter while Antetokounmpo started launching threes and struggled from the free-throw line.  It also didn't help that the rest of the team outside of those two was essentially invisible on the offensive end, and the lead was down to three by halftime.

It would have been easy for Milwaukee to fade after the powerhouse Nets came storming back, but P.J. Tucker provided some energy by getting into it with Durant. Brook Lopez then fired up the crowd with his blocked shots, and the Bucks had an opportunity to win and get back into the series during a critical final 12 minutes.

While Antetokounmpo continued to struggle from the outside, Middleton played the role of crunch-time hero before Holiday's winner.

He went basket-for-basket with Durant and scored eight points in the final three minutes to rescue a stagnant offense and keep his team in the series. That stretch set the door for Holiday's heroics, and Milwaukee is right back in the series.

Brooklyn's Offense Goes Cold on the Road

The Nets seemed downright invincible in Game 2, so it was somewhat understandable that they started the game thinking they could simply go through the motions and still prevail as the more talented team.

That is exactly what it looked like Thursday as they scored a meager 11 points in the first quarter with even Irving and Durant struggling to create and capitalize on open looks.

They needed a spark, and they got just that in the second quarter from Brown. The role player looked like peak Draymond Green while working as a screener who could throw lobs and dive to the rim. He dropped floater after floater over Lopez and took full advantage of the space Irving and Durant drew.

He also battled for boards and helped at least contain Antetokounmpo after his blistering start, and Brooklyn had all the momentum entering the second half as they closed the deficit.

It was fitting that the visitors took their first lead of the game in the third quarter on another Brown basket, but it was just a matter of time until Durant found his touch as a scorer. He did just that in the third, although the Nets still trailed heading into the fourth in large part because they were fighting such an uphill battle from their start.

The stage was set for either Durant or Irving to take over with the game on the line, but they both continued to struggle and finished a combined 20-of-50 (40 percent) from the field. The normally sharp-shooting Joe Harris was also an ugly 1-of-11, and only Brown played better than he usually does.

Still, it was surprising to see him with the ball in his hands in the final seconds after Durant finally hit some shots down the stretch. He missed a driving shot in the lane after Holiday's clutch basket, and the Nets ended an abysmal offensive night with their first loss of the series.

What's Next?

Game 4 is Sunday in Milwaukee.

The NBA instructed the Brooklyn Nets to refrain from showing a timer on the Barclays Center video boards while Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the free-throw line, according to the New York Post's Peter Botte.

When the two-time MVP was at the charity stripe in Game 1 of Milwaukee's second-round series against Brooklyn, arena officials made note of whether he had released the ball within the 10 seconds allowed by the league.

Botte reported the NBA "doesn’t advocate teams inciting the taunting of other players."

The step taken by the NBA makes sense because it can be a slippery slope in terms of arena officials directly targeting another player—no matter how benignly—to draw a reaction from home fans.

The practical impact of putting a timer on display while Antetokounmpo prepared to shoot was probably minimal, though.

His focus would have been directed toward the basket at the time, so he wouldn't have seen what was happening on the video screens.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer was unaware the tactic was unfolding too, as he watched the action from the bench.

"There was one time where I felt like people were looking at the Jumbotron, but I didn’t really know why," he said. "You never know what’s going on up there, and it’s rare that I even can pick up the hint of something."

Arguing the 10-second timer affected Giannis' shooting would be an exercise in confirmation bias.

Antetokounmpo was 2-of-5 on free throws as Milwaukee lost 115-107 in Game 1. He shot 68.5 percent from the line in the regular season and has a 71.7 clip for his career, so free-throw shooting has long been one of his Achilles' heels.

If the Nets eventually dump the Bucks out in the Eastern Conference semifinals, this story will be well down the list of reasons Milwaukee fell short of its goal of reaching the NBA Finals.