The 2019 NBA Playoffs are heating up!
Every day from now until the end of the postseason, our NBA.com Staff will bring you one top performer following the completion of the playoff games on that day.
You'll be able to see the best performance and three honourable mentions from each day, while also having access to all prior "Player of the Night" files, as we see who can tally the most honours these playoffs.
Today's player of the day is...
Giannis Anteokounmpo
Team's result: Bucks 127, Pistons 104 (Bucks sweep series 4-0)
Stat line: 41 points (12-23 FG, 2-6 3PT, 15-20 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks and 1 steal
The 'Greek Freak' saved his best game of the first round for the closeout, scoring a playoff career-high 41 points to lead the Bucks to their first playoff series win since 2001.
The aggressive Antetokounmpo lived at the free throw line, using tormenting the Pistons defence with his physicality and length as he ploughed his way to the rim all night.
I mean, how are you even supposed to stop this?
How, Giannis?!? #FearTheDeer | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gwFprq5Gj1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2019
Honourable Mention:
Donovan Mitchell
Team's result: Jazz 107, Rockets 91 (Rockets lead series 3-1)
Stat line: 31 points (11-26 FG, 3-7 3PT, 6-6 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal
Mitchell could arguably have been the Player of the Day with his sizzling fourth quarter effort to save the Jazz's season.
He scored 19 of his 31 points in the fourth, outscoring the Rockets on his own, 19-12.
Trailing 79-76 to start the fourth, Mitchell sparked the Jazz on a 15-1 run, scoring 13 of those points including back-to-back triples to stretch the lead to 11.
Oh yeah, he also threw down this ridiculous alley-oop!
Get ⬆️ then, Spida! 😱#TakeNote | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/OLZFU13CBQ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2019
Derrick Favors
Team's result: Jazz 107, Rockets 91 (Rockets lead series 3-1)
Stat line: 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal
While Donovan Mitchell stole the headlines in Utah, Derrick Favors was just as monstrous down the stretch for the Jazz.
With Rudy Gobert struggling on the night, picking up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter, Favors picked up the slack and then some, terrorizing the offensive glass down the stretch to help seal the win.
James Harden
Team's result: Rockets 91, Jazz 107 (Rockets lead series 3-1)
Stat line: 30 points (8-19 FG, 6-12 3PT, 8-8 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals - 8 turnovers
Despite his 8 turnovers on the night, Harden kept the Rockets in the fight with some timely buckets, draining six of his 12 three-point attempts.
The Jazz made liife tough for Harden all night, switching up their defensive strategy, but he still found ways to score.
That's tough, James Harden. 🔥#RunAsOne | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0LQiPamJ5i
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 23, 2019
Previous winners
April 15 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
