Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s clutch block on Deandre Ayton in Game 4 will go down as one of the best plays in NBA Finals history.
The Milwaukee Bucks have risen from the dead after facing a serious disadvantage of being down 0-2 in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo helped lead Milwaukee to a Game 3 win, and he helped seal the deal in Game 4.
With a little over a minute remaining in regulation, the Bucks held a narrow 101-99 lead over the Suns. However, Phoenix was on the verge of tying things up with a lob pass from Devin Booker to Deandre Ayton, who looked to have a sure-fire easy dunk. But then, the “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo soared through the air and unleashed an emphatic block on the Suns center.
CLUTCH BLOCK BY GIANNIS 😱 pic.twitter.com/jwB0b75o65
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 15, 2021
This photo of Giannis' block 🖼 pic.twitter.com/uyHxx6cWTk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 15, 2021
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s clutch block seals Game 4 win for Bucks
After watching Antetokounmpo’s epic denial on Ayton, many got flashbacks of when the LeBron James unleashed his epic block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, which saw the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 3-1 deficit to win their first Larry O’Brien Trophy in franchise history.
That Giannis block up there with LeBron’s chase-down #NBAFinals
— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) July 15, 2021
If you thought that Fox Sports’ Skip Bayless would give Antetokounmpo a round of applause after arguably one of the best plays of his career, you were wrong. In fact, Bayless even discredited the block because “it was a lob.” The man must be fun at parties.
That Giannis block of Ayton is being completely overrated. IT WAS A LOB. Giannis had plenty of time to go up and meet Ayton as he was catching the ball at its peak. He almost couldn't help but block it.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 15, 2021
This was a truly amazing feat for Antetokounmpo, who looked to have suffered a season-ending knee injury back in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Yet, the hyperextension in his left knee did not cause structural damage, and he was ready to go for the start of the NBA Finals.
Through 43 minutes of playing time, Antetokounmpo tallied 26 points (11-for-19 from field), 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks.
Everyone will remember that this was the exact play that helped the Bucks tie up the 2021 NBA Finals at two games apiece. Now, the Bucks look to take this momentum into Game 5 this Saturday in Phoenix.