Twice now this season, triple double history has been made–this time, courtesy of Giannis Antetokounmpo. His 35 points, 17 boards and 20 dimes versus the 76ers combined for the first ever 35-15-20 line in the archives. Earlier this year, Nikola Jokic made history as the only player in the 30-20-20 club in Denver’s overtime win against Phoenix. Well, as of Thursday night, the Greek Freak has a club of his own. And he didn’t need overtime to do it. But, right now at least, he isn’t interested in talking about it.
Giannis Demonstrates “On to the Next One” Mentality as Milwaukee Bucks Push for the Playoffs
The 126-113 win improves Milwaukee’s record to 42-34 this season, nudging them ahead of the Pistons (also 42-34 but without the tiebreaker) for 5th in the East. With the Pacers a comfortable three games ahead with six to go, the most the Bucks can hope for is securing the fifth seed for the right to play Indiana in the first round.
Giannis certainly did his part toward that end with his performance against Philadelphia. When asked about his first-ever feat, he was more focused on getting the next win:
“It feels good. We have another one in two days, in a three game road trip. It’s always good to start with a win. Just got to go and be locked in against Miami and then try to get the next game. But it feels good. I feel like I’ll talk about it with my kids or my grandkids when I’m retired.”
With Damian Lillard sidelined by a blood clot, Giannis has had to assume even more playmaking duties than he usually does. Although Lillard did not make the road trip, the Bucks did get some great news about his recovery progress, with Doc Rivers saying there is hope his star guard returns this season. For now, though, Antetokounmpo will continue to clock in as point-center, a role he typically fills anyway to a lesser degree. And he enjoys it.
Playing Point-Center Comes Naturally for Antetokounmpo
“I’m not gonna lie,” Giannis told reporters postgame, “I love handling the ball.” He also noted, though, that being the number one option requires a certain intensity. “When you’re the primary ball handler you just got to keep on making good decisions for the team.”
He put his playmaking skills on shining display on Thursday, accounting for 50 points off assists in addition to his own 35. Even playing alongside Lillard (7.1 APG) for most of the season, Giannis has averaged 6.0 assists himself while scoring 30.4 points.
Aided by feeds from Antetokounmpo, all five starters hung double figures on the Philadelphia defense, as did Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green off the bench. It wasn’t all roses and sunshine, however, as the Bucks found themselves down 17 early to a 76ers team with no Joel Embiid, no Paul George, and no Tyrese Maxey. Then Rivers took sick on the sidelines, requiring Darvin Ham to fill in as head coach for the second half.
Ham said about Giannis postgame, “Until we get Dame back he’s got to be the leader of our team in terms of making plays and being the first one to do the dirty work as well on the other side of the ball.”
Milwaukee plays Miami Saturday night, the first leg of a back-to-back that wraps up the road trip Sunday against the Pelicans.
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