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Giannis Antetokounmpo states MVP case vs. Nets, passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Bucks' all-time scoring list

Ananth Pandian

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Giannis Antetokounmpo states MVP case vs. Nets, passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Bucks' all-time scoring list image

Nikola Jokic is the reigning MVP. Joel Embiid wants to be the new MVP.

Giannis Antetokounmpo however, has emphatically entered the MVP conversation.

Two days after dropping 40 points in a huge win over Embiid's 76ers, the two-time MVP upped the ante with a 44 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to take down Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Nets in Brooklyn.

Playing at a MVP-level all season, Antetokounmpo has elevated his game to yet another level over the last several weeks. In Milwaukee's last 15 games, the Bucks superstar is averaging 32.7 points, 13.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. During this stretch, Antetokounmpo has also shot a stellar 59.1 percent from the field.

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For the season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.1 points (leading the league, tied with LeBron James), 11.7 rebounds (fifth in the NBA), 5.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game (10th in the league). He is shooting an excellent 53.4 percent from the field and a solid 71.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo win the MVP?

Antetokounmpo continued his incredible play in Milwaukee's 120-119 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Making plays all over the court, Antetokounmpo hit a big three near the end of regulation to tie the game and then in the extra session, he calmly swished home two free throws that gave the Bucks the lead and the eventual victory.

The 27-year-old forward finished the game with a double double of 44 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Just an absolutely sensational performance on the road against a talented Nets team led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

And a good reminder to the NBA world that he is a two-MVP in his own right and the reigning Finals MVP.

Bucks all-time scoring list

Antetokounmpo even became Milwaukee's all-time scoring leader in the win, passing Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played six seasons with the Bucks and led the team to a championship in 1971. 

In his ninth season in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo is now the Bucks' all-time leader in points, blocks, and triple-doubles. He's second overall in franchise history in field goals made, free throws made, rebounds, and assists. Antetokounmpo is also fifth overall in steals and seventh overall in threes made for Milwaukee.

Not too shabby for the 15th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft.

Updated Eastern Conference playoff picture

Thanks to Antetokounmpo's MVP-like efforts, the Bucks are now 48-28 on the season, which currently has them second overall in the Eastern Conference. They are just a half game behind the Miami Heat for the first seed in the East.

However, the top of the Eastern Conference standings has been changing every day as the top-four teams are only separated by just 2.5 games. 

(Current through March 31 games)

Seed Team Record Games back
1. Heat* 49-28 —
2. Bucks* 48-28 0.5
3. Celtics* 47-30 2
4. 76ers 46-30 2.5
5. Bulls 45-32 5
6. Raptors 44-32 4.5
7. Cavaliers 42-35 7
8. Nets 40-37 9
9. Hornets 40-37 9
10. Hawks 40-37 9
— Knicks 34-43 15
— Wizards 33-43 15.5
— Pacers 25-52 24
— Pistons 21-56 28
— Magic 20-57 29

*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched NBA Play-In berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Knicks, Magic, Pacers, Pistons, Wizards

Currently, the Bucks will be slated to play the winner of the 7/8 matchup in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Cleveland Cavaliers are seventh in the East and the Brooklyn Nets are eighth, so the Bucks will play either of those two teams in the first round if the season was already over.

In the regular season, Milwaukee is 3-1 against Brooklyn and 1-2 against Cleveland. The Bucks will play the Cavs in one final regular season matchup on April 10.

Bucks remaining schedule 2021-2022

The Bucks have just six games left this season.

Date Opponent Time (ET)
April 1 vs. Clippers 8 p.m.
April 3 vs. Mavericks 1 p.m.
April 5 at Bulls 8 p.m.
April 7 vs. Celtics 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at Pistons 7 p.m.
April 10 at Cavaliers TBD

The NBA Play-In tournament starts on Tuesday, April 12. The NBA playoffs start on Saturday, April 16. 

 

Ananth Pandian

Ananth Pandian Photo

Ananth Pandian is a seasoned marketer and copywriter with over a decade of experience working for premium brands and publishers like Nike, SLAM, and CBS Sports. Prior to plying his trade as a wordsmith, he grew up in a farmhouse, surrounded by the woods, fields, and a creek. Ananth has spent much of his life outdoors, and is excited to guide you through his never-ending list of the best products to keep you from falling to the perils of nature. Nowadays, there is rarely a weekend that goes by where Ananth isn't out camping, hiking, or just back on his parents' farm.