Milwaukee Bucks and Greek National Team star Giannis Antetokounmpo treated 19,000+ fans to quite a show on Thursday, dropping 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in Greece’s overtime loss to Serbia at the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. The 40 point mark set a new record for the European Qualifiers, breaking the previous record of 38 held by Dennis Schroder. The game featured the 2-time NBA MVP Giannis squaring off against the 2021-22 MVP Nikola Jokic. Jokic finished with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in what was an epic matchup of two international superstars.
Giannis Highlights
FIBA Giannis is now unstoppable? 🔥
The Greek Freak dropped 40 points in front of a fully-packed Serbian crowd! 🥶#FIBAWC x #WinForHellas
🖥 https://t.co/53iCmzq10t pic.twitter.com/VNzE5vbQ98
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 26, 2022
As noted in the tweet, this was a road game for Greece in a hostile environment. Giannis did not mind, as he was a monster in the pick-and-roll, unstoppable on the fast break, and even threw an alley-oop to his brother, Kostas. Giannis also knocked down two 3 pointers and went 10/14 (71%) from the free throw line.
Fans and Media React to Giannis and Jokic Performances
The clash between Giannis and Jokic sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Jokic had some equally stunning plays, and the two traded blows for 40 minutes. Below are a few reactions from fans and media:
Jokic has 23, Giannis has 35 in an official game in a packed house in Belgrade. Serbia and Greece going into overtime. This is epic…
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 25, 2022
Giannis vs. Jokic in OT. 😤🍿
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 25, 2022
One-legged, wrong-legged, turnaround fadeaway from the corner over Giannis Antetokounmpo 🤯
What an INSANE shot by Nikola Jokic 🔥pic.twitter.com/tb0ppl1hTF
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) August 25, 2022
🇷🇸 Jokic: 29 PTS | 8 REB | 6 AST
🇬🇷 Giannis: 40 PTS | 8 REB | 5 AST
The first National Team battle between 2 of the best players in the world didn't disappoint 💯#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/zSxYOqPcVb
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2022
A player has just 5 seconds to shoot a free throw in FIBA basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo changed his routine, while Nikola Jokic was counting down the seconds, trying to put pressure to the referees. The Greek Freak had 10/14 FTS yesterday night in Belgrade. pic.twitter.com/uT4YvsX6Xl
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 26, 2022
Greece loses but a heck of an effort. Took it to OT after being down 8 with just over a minute left.
Giannis:
42 PTS / 8 REB / 5 AST / 15-25 FG pic.twitter.com/xkBXJZK7s5— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) August 25, 2022
Giannis just tried a behind the back pass while sitting 😂 pic.twitter.com/vByIvaKBHs
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) August 25, 2022
What’s Next for Giannis and Greece?
Greece sits in a tie for second place in group I, with a record of 3-2. Their next game is on Sunday at home vs Belgium. Giannis and company will look to rebound and stay in contention for one of the 12 European spots in the FIBA world cup.
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