This season, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic have managed to put up credible cases to win MVP. But according to one stat, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo holds something against those stars that can strengthen his journey to win the said award.
Just recently, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks made a statement by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 118-93. In that game, the Greek Freak came out with guns blazing by dropping 30 points, 19 rebounds, and four assists. Bobby Portis added 15 points, six rebounds, and two assist from the bench to ensure a win for Milwaukee in their own home court.
The Thunder saw Gilgeous-Alexander fizzle out against Milwaukee when he just made 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in almost 30 minutes on the court. Josh Giddey led OKC with 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
The win helped Milwaukee solidify its hold on the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder, on the other hand, have dropped to second place with a 49-21 record, just behind a Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets team that has risen to the top of the West.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Holds One Insane Stat Against This Season’s Leading MVP Candidates
Much like his game against Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City, Antetokounmpo has outplayed the leading MVP candidates this season, including Jokic and Doncic. This can be seen in a stat shared by Ahmed on X:
“Giannis vs. MVP candidates this season
Vs Luka
Nov 18: 40/15/7 71 TS% W
Feb 4: 48/6/10 74 TS%, W
Vs. Jokic
Jan 29: 29/12/4 61 TS%, L
Feb 12: 36/14/5 71 TS%, W
Vs Shai tonight 30/19/4 73 TS%, W
Outscored each opponent,” Ahmed tweeted.
As the stat shows, the Greek Freak came out of those games as the better player, even if the Bucks lost. Even with a coaching change in Doc Rivers and a turbulent phase after that decision, Antetokounmpo still managed to play well against those guys.
It still remains to be seen whether Antetokounmpo can catch up in the MVP race or not. What’s clear, though, is that the Bucks star is on a rampage right now, one that may extend in the upcoming playoffs. And if his games against Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Doncic are any indication, the Greek Freak is not going to take any prisoners if they somehow meet in the NBA Finals.
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