NBA Twitter freaked out over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-point Game 6 performance on Tuesday night to help the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA championship.
Back in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it appeared as though Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was done after suffering what appeared to be a devastating left knee injury. After imaging revealed that he did not suffer structural damage to his knee, Antetokounmpo returned for the NBA Finals to face the Phoenix Suns for the opportunity to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy. Antetokounmpo showed up and showed out for the Bucks throughout the Finals, but his best came in Game 6.
The Bucks defeated the Suns by the score of 105-98 to win their first NBA championship since 1971. Antetokounmpo played a huge part of that result, as he dropped a ridiculous 50 points to help close out the Finals. NBA Twitter could not help but express their emotions watching Antetokounmpo go scorched earth on the Suns on Tuesday night.
Twitter was geeked about Giannis scoring 50 points in NBA Finals game
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1417700003141857285
Giannis shot 17-of-19 from the line after Chris Paul said this en route to scoring 50 points to win the NBA title. pic.twitter.com/FQ8hgzT1Hi
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) July 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1417691932617101317
https://twitter.com/paugasol/status/1417694786602024960
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first player since LeBron James and Michael Jordan to score 50 points in an NBA Finals game. It has only happened seven times. pic.twitter.com/rfV9tbYSKM
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 21, 2021
50 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks to deliver Milwaukee a championship
— Jack (@MidWestLAFan) July 21, 2021
Historic performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/RBQPpBAtYB
50 POINTS 14 REBOUNDS 5 BLOCKS TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME GIANNIS
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) July 21, 2021
Giannis. 50 points in a closeout game. Unreal. This was an all time performance. Unforgettable. A moment. EARNED
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) July 21, 2021
No one, I repeat NO ONE, in the last 60 years has scored 50 points in an #NBAFinals closeout game until…
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) July 21, 2021
GIANNIS UGO ANTETOKOUNMPO!!
Giannis deserves all the love. Bro really just had 50/13/5 in the close out game of the finals… iconic.
— Myles Garrett (@Flash_Garrett) July 21, 2021
50!! happy for my brother @Giannis_An34 u got the ring bro
— 35 (@Chriswood_5) July 21, 2021
Did Giannis score most points in an NBA Finals game?
Antetokounmpo had the clutch block in Game 4 and the sealing slam dunk in Game 5 earlier this week, but nothing is topping the performance he gave the world in Game 6. It was simply historic.
He dropped 50 points (16-for-25 from field, 17-for-19 from free throw line), grabbed 14 rebounds and had five blocked shots in 44 minutes of playing time, helping him earn NBA Finals MVP. With this, Antetokounmpo sits alone as being the only player in NBA history to record 50+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ blocks in a playoff game, per Basketball Reference.
Additionally, Antetokounmpo is now the third player in league history to win an NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP. The other two players to do accomplish this feat? Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Those of you who love the game of basketball and tuned into Game 6 will never forget that epic play of Antetokounmpo, who helped deliver the city of Milwaukee their first NBA title in 50 years.