NBA Playoffs 2019: Giannis Antetokounmpo earns Player of the Day

James McKern

NBA Playoffs 2019: Giannis Antetokounmpo earns Player of the Day image

The 2019 NBA Playoffs are underway!

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 this playoffs.

Today's player of the day is...

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Team's result: Bucks 121, Pistons 86

Stat line: 24 points (9-17 FG, 1-5 3PT, 5-12 FT), 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block

The actual shooting numbers aren't anything to write home about, but the fact he recorded a 24-point and 17-rebound game in only 23 minutes ... it's a whole different story.

Giannis' remarkable stats saw him become the first player in NBA playoff history to finish with 20+ points and 16+ rebounds in less than 25 minutes of playing time. It was because of his pure dominance that the Bucks were able to cruise to a dominant victory at home.

Honourable mentions

Damian Lillard

Team's result: Blazers 104, Thunder 99

Stat line: 30 points (9-21 FG, 5-11 3PT, 7-8 FT), 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

The Thunder did a good job keeping Lillard in check during the first half, but with the game up for grabs, the clock struck Dame Time and the Blazers' leader took control to secure the Game 1 win.

James Harden

Team's result: Rockets 122, Jazz 90

Stat line: 29 points (11-26 FG, 4-10 3PT, 3-3 FT), 8 rebounds, 10 assists

In front of his home fans, Harden put on a show as he did a bit of everything to help secure the big Game 1 win against the Utah Jazz.

He received plenty of different looks from the Jazz but showed why he's next to unstoppable and just continued to pile on the points.

Enes Kanter

Team's result: Blazers 104, Thunder 99

Stat line: 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-6 FT), 18 rebounds, 2 blocks

By far the most surprising display from day two of the playoff action, not many expected Kanter to be this big of a player come playoff time.

He completely outplayed Steven Adams and showed the Blazers are a genuine force despite losing Jusuf Nurkic.

His statline sees him join LaMarcus Aldridge and Bill Walton as the only players in playoff history for the Blazers to record 20 & 18.


Previous Player of the Day winners

April 14 - Stephen Curry

James McKern