The NBA Finals have finally arrived!
The Phoenix Suns hosted the Milwaukee Bucks for Game 1, with each franchise on the cusp of a historic NBA Championship.
The Suns have never achieved the ultimate success, while for the Bucks, it's been 50 years since they won it all back in 1971.
If you missed any of the action you can catch up right here with all the highlights, news and stats as the road to a title enters its final series!
🏆 BUCKS vs. SUNS 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) July 6, 2021
▪️ Both teams making their 3rd Finals appearance
▪️ MIL won lone title in 1971
▪️ PHX seeks first championship
The #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV tips off TONIGHT with @Bucks/@Suns Game 1 at 9:00pm/et on ABC! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/FRnvA3C6tL
Final - Bucks 105, Suns 118
-That's a wrap in Game 1 as Phoenix take care of business on their home floor and hold a 1-0 edge in the 2021 NBA Finals!
-Paul leads all scorers with 32 points and nine assists, while Booker tallied 27 and Ayton chipped in with 22 points and 19 rebounds.
-Middleton top scores for the Bucks with 29 points, while Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds.
-Suns fans rise to their feet to give a standing ovation as we hit the final minute in Phoenix with the home team leading 117-102.
-Paul with the finish through contact and could that be the ball game? Phoenix lead 113-99 with 3:38 to play.
CP3 attacks, puts on the brakes and finishes through the contact... he's got 32!#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/tAKCRmqwSh
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
-Phoenix steady to extend the lead back out to 108-96 on a Cam Johnson mid range jumper.
-A nice start to the fourth quarter for Milwaukee and they won't go away. Suns still lead 101-92 with 7:46 to play after Bryn Forbes knocks down a three in transition.
Khris put up 10 points in the third. pic.twitter.com/WyLS980Hr0
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
End of the third - Bucks 75, Suns 92
Corner trey.
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
Dance and lay-in.
Pull-up triple.
3 straight buckets for Chris Paul gives him a game-high 27 PTS on ABC (16 in 3rd). #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/s5gnWJjgr8
-Paul has 27, Booker 22, and Deandre Ayton has 18 points and 16 rebounds for Phoenix.
-Khris Middleton hits a series of shots to keep Milwaukee afloat....just. Middleton has 22 points to lead Milwaukee.
-A CP3 takeover is in full swing! Paul has 16 points in the quarter and the Suns are running away with Game 1!
Ayton rebounds, runs the floor and throws down the lob from CP3! #NBAFinals@Suns up 16 in Game 1 on ABC pic.twitter.com/e7cnZEPI3O
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
-Booker and Paul continue to feast in the pick-and-roll, dribbling to their spot in the mid range and knocking down shots. The Phoenix Suns Arena is rocking with the home team opening up a 78-62 lead with 4:42 left in the quarter.
-Massive danger signs for Milwaukee now with a Jrue Holiday turnover leading to a transition basket for Phoenix. Game high 65-52 lead with 9:38 left in the period.
Mikal Bridges swipes it away and finishes on the other end... @Suns up 13 on ABC!#NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/XKG7Vr2kEO
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
-Flagrant foul penalty one assessed.
-Chris Paul knocks down a three and lands on the foot of Brook Lopez. The play is under review for a flagrant foul. Suns lead 62-52 with 10:17 to play.
-Annddd we are underway in the second half!
Halftime - Bucks 49, Suns 57
-It was a strong finish to the half for the Suns, with Booker and Paul starting to take over.
-Booker has 16 points and four assists, while Paul has tallied 11 points of his own. Khris Middleton leads the way for Milwaukee with 12 points while Antetokounmpo has 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
-SHEESH GIANNIS. WHAT A BLOCK!
"Blocked by Antetokounmpo... WHAT A RECOVERY!" 🤯#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/HgJw9vjA15
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
-We've got an enthralling first half on our hands. Jae Crowder draws a charge on Antetokounmpo under the basket and we head to a timeout. Suns lead 50-47 with 2:47 to play.
That's money. pic.twitter.com/mfAlM8deYB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
-A hot start to the second quarter for Phoenix, with Booker banking in a tough jumpshot to give the Suns their largest lead of the game. Suns up 45-38 with 6:55 to play in the first half.
-Suns reserve big man Dario Saric is out of Game 1. Saric planted his feet to finish under the basket, appearing to twist his right knee.
Dario Saric (right knee) will not return tonight, the team says. https://t.co/z4LU6oT1Qm
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 7, 2021
End of the first - Bucks 26, Suns 30
🥵 https://t.co/XX2IuzZg3d pic.twitter.com/LaIx7KuNhH
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 7, 2021
-A very entertaining first quarter comes to a close with a Torry Craig put back lay-up giving the Suns a slight edge.
-Devin Booker has 12 points for Phoenix, while Antetokounmpo has eight points, five rebounds and two assists for Milwaukee.
-Back-to-back threes for Phoenix from Cam Johnson and Cam Payne open up a 24-20 lead for the Suns with 3:01 to play and the arena is electric!
-Timeout called with 6:48 to play in the first. Bucks lead 12-10.
-Antetokounmpo appears to moving well for Milwaukee, he has four points, four rebounds and an assist early in this one.
Giannis doing what he does best. pic.twitter.com/rz6NpIBBXL
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
-Mikal Bridges with the athletic play to finish the lob after it was tipped by Jrue Holiday!
What a play from Mikal Bridges to tip it up and in on the break! #NBAFinals
— NBA (@NBA) July 7, 2021
Game 1 live on ABC pic.twitter.com/t9A2l2Ov7l
-Starting lineups have been announced and it's time for tip!
Pregame
After hyperextending his left knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Atlanta, it's been a remarkable recovery for Giannis Antetokoumpo.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo would be a game-time decision, with the team later announcing he is clear to take the floor for Game 1.
Giannis is AVAILABLE and will start in Game 1 of the #NBAFinals. pic.twitter.com/S9fVRNI5j6
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
Milwaukee starters:
#NBAFinals Game 1 Starters: pic.twitter.com/son5Ki5nqL
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 7, 2021
Phoenix starters:
THE FIVE. pic.twitter.com/kl6CRj3ngc
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 7, 2021
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