Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo back, the Bucks were no match for the Suns in Game 1
Game 1 of the NBA Finals could be described as bittersweet for the Milwaukee Bucks.
It was sweet because they got their superstar back, and if ever there were reason for the Bucks to feel optimistic, it would be having superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court. But it was also bitter because Giannis' return didn't matter all that much in the end Tuesday, as the Phoenix Suns breezed to a 118-105 victory.
Antetokounmpo was absent in Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks after suffering a frightening hyperextended left knee in Game 4. The Bucks lost the contest in which he went down but won the next two to eliminate the Hawks as other Milwaukee players raised their games, particularly Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez.
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While Antetokounmpo's return was a welcome sight for the Bucks, the results were uneven at best.
Early in the game, it appeared that Antetokounmpo was at full strength, as he scored eight points in the first quarter and 10 in the first half while getting to the rim at will.
He scored another 10 points in the second half but wasn't as aggressive when it mattered most, scoring just three in the third quarter as the Bucks fell behind by 17 points.
Antetokounmpo attempted only 11 field goals on the night, fewer than Middleton (12-for-26), Lopez (7-for-14) and Holiday (4-for-14).
Antetokounmpo's final line was solid, as he had 17 rebounds, a pair of steals and a block to go with his 20 points. But he also didn't look like the dominant star who won the NBA's MVP award in 2019 and 2020.
Whether it was a sign of rust due to his time away from the floor or lingering effects from his knee injury is difficult to say. But before Game 1, FOX Sports Injury & Performance Analyst Dr. Matt Provencher said to expect a declined performance from Antetokounmpo so soon after his injury:
"Heading into Game 1, Giannis' hyperextended left knee is now nearly seven full days from the initial injury. An MRI report revealed no structural damage, which is good. As long as the meniscus and ligaments are OK, then a capsular strain injury to the knee could return as soon as a week – just not at 100 percent. The knee capsule needs at least one-to-three weeks to heal well, and if we see Giannis on the court for Game 1, he will likely be limited in play as well as overall performance."
That is the dilemma in which the Bucks find themselves. If they sit their star to allow him to get healthy, they could quickly run out of time against a Suns team that seems to play better the deeper it advances into the postseason.
"Their pick-and-roll game is tough to guard," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I think we’ve just got to keep getting better. We’ll look at the film. We’ll see how we can maybe take away some of the rhythm."
As Game 1 showed, a Giannis who is not 100 percent might not be enough. Either way, the Bucks are going to have their hands full with a Suns team that is clicking on all cylinders.
Even if Antetokounmpo is able to get fully healthy, the Bucks will need more from their star than they received in Game 1 if they are going to get back into this series — let alone win it.
Check out the highlights from Game 1.
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