“I can tell my kids, my grandkids I’ve played in the NBA Finals … Rest is history” - Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals he was in lot of pain during 2021 NBA Finals, says magnitude of the moment made him push through
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA title in 2021, but it was not smooth sailing for the forward. The former Defensive Player of the Year revealed that he was in a lot of pain during the series but soldiered on because of the occasion.
The Bucks overcame a 2-0 deficit against the Phoenix Suns, winning four straight to clinch the title. Antetokounmpo produced a 50-point effort in the sixth game to seal the series.
2020-21 NBA Champion, 6x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA MVP, 2021 NBA Finals MVP, 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year and 75th Anniversary Team member…Giannis Antetokounmpo! #NBA75
Watch more Giannis moments: app.link.nba.com/e/75storiesgia… https://t.co/0o9uogrIiQ
On the Jalen Rose: Renaissance Man podcast, Antetokounmpo revealed that he played through a lot of pain and was willed on by the magnitude of the moment.
"I wanted it. That's what I wanted. I came back in six days, seven days, I was ready. I wasn't thinking about the pain, which I had a lot of pain. I just wanted to be a part of playing in the NBA Finals. From where I've come from, where I am right now, just being able to play.
"Some people just hear about the NBA Finals. Some people just kind of watch the NBA Finals. Being able to play a minute in NBA Finals, that's what was my mindset, and that gave me dopamine to continue I wasn't feeling the pain.
"The first couple of games I was in a lot of pain, but then the dopamine hit I was like man I'm playing. We down 2-0 but it doesn't matter. I can tell my kids, I can tell my grandkids, I've played in the NBA Finals. Then we started winning, then it was the rest is history."
Following his incredible performances, Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP. That same season, he also won the All-Star MVP award.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks failed to advance past the 2022 conference semifinals
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks had a great opportunity to repeat as champions this season, but fell short. They started off their postseason campaign on a strong note by defeating the Chicago Bulls 4-1.
Glad that I been through a lot, it made me a monster😤 https://t.co/jiBZglvqb6
In the conference semifinals, they squared off against the Boston Celtics. The Celtics took the riveting series 4-3.
However, it is worth noting that things might have been different if the Bucks were fully healthy. Khris Middleton, one of their best shooters, missed the series due to an MCL sprain. His absence left them short on firepower and the Celtics capitalized.
Khris Middleton's left MCL injury is a Grade 2 sprain, per @ShamsCharania
He will likely miss Milwaukee’s second-round series vs. Boston and may not be cleared for the conference finals if the Bucks advance. https://t.co/Rpmtlz2ZnP
The Bucks will now shift their focus to the 2022-23 season. If they stay healthy, they have a legitimate chance of returning to the NBA Finals.