The Greek Freak racks up more accolades in an MVP-worthy campaign
No huge surprise here, but even after missing last night’s game, Giannis Antetokounmpo has his third Eastern Conference Player of the Week of the season, per the NBA this afternoon. The Bucks are 4-0 since last Tuesday, and it’s largely due to some of the best basketball of Giannis’ career. Here’s what he did in each of his three outings:
- 37 points on 12/18 shooting, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block, two turnovers in 36 minutes vs. the Suns
- 35 points on 12/19 shooting, 17 rebounds, 20 assists (career high), two steals, two turnovers in 39 minutes vs. the Sixers
- 36 points on 13/21 shooting, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, one block, three turnovers in 43 minutes vs. the Heat
That’s all good for 36.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 13.6 APG. He beat out OG Anunoby, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Josh Giddey, and Coby White—last week’s winner—for his 26th East POTW honors.
As you’ve likely heard, Giannis authored the first 35+ point, 15+ rebound, and 20+ assist triple-double in league history, just a few boards shy of the second-ever 30/20/20 game, not even a month after Nikola Jokic notched the first. He followed that up with another 35+ point triple-double on Saturday in a gutsy overtime win in Miami. The only other player to record consecutive 35-point, 15-rebound triple-doubles was Wilt Chamberlain in March 1968. Good company.
His shooting numbers were typically excellent at 63.8% from the floor (and he even was 3/6 from deep!), but the really promising bit is 83.4% at the line across this trio of games. He attempted between 11 and 14 free throws each night, and he’s shooting a solid 72% from the charity stripe over his last eight contests on eight attempts per game. The past seven of those, he’s scored at least 30, which is the longest streak of 30+ point performances in the NBA this season. It’s only the second-longest of his career, though, but his three straight with at least 10 assists ties a career-best.
Giannis missed last night’s victory in New Orleans with left shoulder tendinopathy, but Doc Rivers said he’s not concerned about this being a long-term thing. Ideally, he’s back for an important home matchup tomorrow with Minnesota to keep Milwaukee’s slim hopes for the four seed alive. Whatever happens, here’s hoping he’s good for round one, and as always, congrats to Giannis!