On paper, Monday night’s game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns put everything in the wheels of a must-watch event. In fact, it was even better than anyone could have expected as the Suns escaped with an exciting overtime win, 128-127.
However, it was a slightly controversial end as Devin Booker committed a foul with 0.3 seconds to play overtime and then struck one free throw to ice the game. He finished with 24 points to lead the Suns in the points division, while Chris Paul passed for 22 points, seven rebounds and 13 assists. In the process, he passes Magic Johnson for fifth place on the list of overall assists.
On the side of the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo passed for 33 points and eight rebounds in a typically strong performance, but he was not on the floor to close matters. He went down at the beginning of overtime with a cramp in his lower leg and could not return.
Here are three important takeaways from the game
Disappointing end of one of the best matches of the season
Monday night’s game was a real struggle. There were a whopping 24 lead changes and 16 ties, and no team led the entire game by more than nine points. Players with big names in both teams played great games on both sides of the floor. That was all you wanted from a game, to the end.
After Khris Middleton hit a 3 with just over 20 seconds to play, the Suns had the ball and a chance to win the game. They decided to put the ball in Devin Booker’s hands and just cleaned up so he could go to work. But while Jrue Holiday played a defensive defense, Booker had a hard time getting anything going.
Eventually he dropped to the wing and tried to move back a bit to create space. It works, sort of, though mostly because Holiday has lost its balance briefly. While Holiday was trying to recover, PJ Tucker showed up with the help just as Booker got up for a shot. Tucker’s elbow grazed Booker’s elbow, and the ref called a violation. Booker hit one free throw, deliberately missed the second, and that was the match.
A brute end for the Bucks and for everyone watching. Tucker’s arm does make contact with Booker’s arm in the shooting, so technically it’s a mistake. There really is no way to get around it. No one wants to see an amazing game end this way.
2. CP3 makes history
Chris Paul started the game on a point of lead and scored 11 points in the first quarter. But as the game progressed, he got a more facilitating role and he eventually got 13 assistants in the night. That earned him 10,145 for his career, which moved him past Magic Johnson and in fifth place on the NBA’s list of everyday assistants. He is the only active player in the top five, and one of only two active players in the top 10 – LeBron James is the other.
The historic uptick came late in the fourth quarter when Paul Booker ran into the transition. It was one of the easiest help he would ever get, as he just threw an exhaust valve into Booker’s step for a wide open dunk.
What else is there to say about Paul at this point? He is an incredible leader and one of the best point guards ever. Just look at the impact he has had on this Suns team, and make it in a first season with the team from a squabble to a Western Conference contender.
Phoenix has now won five of its last six games to improve the season 41-16. In those six games, he had 59 assists and three assists.
Giannis does his thing, but leaves with cramps
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed six games earlier this month with a knee injury, so it was a narrow moment when he came off grimly in pain early in overtime. After getting up to block Devin Booker, he grabbed the loose ball and tried to get on the floor before collapsing near the team bench.
The good news is that it appears to be a cramp in his lower leg. The way he stretched and stomped Gatorade along the sideline made it very clear, and Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed so much during his post-match press conference. But while there should be no long-term problems there, the Bucks were not comfortable bringing him back into the game.
As a result, the Bucks had to play the final 4:02 without the Greek Freak. It was a big problem when they immediately dropped by six points, but a couple of 3s from Middleton and Tucker leveled matters and sent the game almost double overtime. It’s not clear if Giannis could have come back if there was another frame, but Budenholzer’s comments suggest the answer is no.
For the evening, Giannis finished with 33 points and eight rebounds in what was by far his best performance since returning from injury. Cramps and loss aside, it was very positive for the Bucks on Monday night.