Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo[a] (born Adetokunbò;[b] December 6, 1994) is a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Antetokounmpo's country of origin, in addition to his size, speed, strength,
and ball-handling skills have earned him the nickname " Greek Freak". Antetokounmpo is widely
regarded as one of the greatest power forwards and one of the greatest European players of all time.[2][3][4][5][6]
Born and raised in Athens to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the
youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. In 2011, he began playing for the club's senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected 15th overall by the Bucks. In 2016–17 he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories and became the first player in NBA history to
finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals,
and blocks.[7] He received the Most Improved Player award in 2017. Antetokounmpo has received seven All-Star selections, including being selected as an All-Star captain in 2019, 2020
and 2023 as he led the Eastern Conference in voting in these three years.
One of the most decorated players in NBA history,[8] Antetokounmpo won consecutive NBA Most
Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to win two MVPs before turning 26. Along with his MVP award, he
was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, becoming only the third player after Michael Jordan (1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) to win both awards in the same season. In 2021, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971 and was named Finals MVP. [9] The same year, he was honoured as one of the league's greatest players of all-time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. [10]
The film Rise, based on the life of Antetokounmpo and his family, was released in 2022.
Early life
Giannis Sina Ugo Adetokunbò[11][12] was born in Athens, Greece, on December 6, 1994,[13] the son of immigrants from Nigeria.[14][15][16] His father had been a soccer player in Nigeria, while his mother was a high jumper. Three years earlier, they had moved from Lagos, leaving their firstborn son, Francis, under the care of his grandparents.[17] Adetokunbò grew up in the Athens neighbourhood of Sepolia[16] in a primarily Nigerian household. [18] His parents, as immigrants without work permits,[19] could not easily find work, so Giannis and his older brother Thanasis helped by hawking watches, handbags, and sunglasses in the streets.[20] In 2007, Adetokunbò started playing basketball.[21]
Although Adetokunbò and three of his four brothers were born in Greece, they did not
automatically receive Greek citizenship as Greek nationality law follows jus sanguinis. [15] Growing up, he sometimes felt as an outsider to both the Greek and the Nigerian communities in Athens,
due to his parents' heritage and different skin colour in the former, and due to his lack of
understanding of the Yoruba or Igbo languages in the latter.[22] For the first 18 years of his life, Adetokunbò could not travel outside the country and was effectively stateless, having no papers from Greece or Nigeria.[21] He was eventually issued Greek citizenship on May 9, 2013,[23] less than two months before the 2013 NBA draft. [21]
After gaining Greek citizenship in 2013, his official surname became Αντετοκούνμπο, the Greek
transcription of Adetokunbo, which was then transliterated letter-for-letter and officially spelled on his Greek passport as Antetokounmpo.[24][25] Giannis is a Modern Greek variant of Ioannes (John).[26] Because many NBA fans could not pronounce his surname, he quickly became known as the "Greek Freak".[27][28] Antetokounmpo also holds Nigerian citizenship,[11] having received his Nigerian passport in 2015,[18] and as such possesses dual
citizenship. [29][30] He has stated that he feels both Greek and Nigerian[22] and that he embraces both his Greek, as well as his African/Nigerian identity.[18]
Professional career
Filathlitikos (2011–2013)
In 2011, Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's team of Filathlitikos in the semi-pro Greek
B Basket League (Third Division) during the 2011–12 season.[31]
In December 2012, a few days after turning 18, Antetokounmpo signed a four-year deal with
Spanish club CAI Zaragoza, [32] reportedly including NBA buyouts after each season. Several other major European clubs had been interested in adding him, including Barcelona and Anadolu
During the 2012–13 Greek A2 League season, Antetokounmpo shot 46.4% from the field (62.1%
on two-point field goals), 31.3% from three-point range, and 72.0% from the free throw line, while
averaging 22.5 minutes per game. Over 26 games, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4
assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.[33] He was also selected by the coaches as a special participant in the 2013 Greek League All-Star Game. Even though he was not selected as an all-star, the coaches let him play in the game as a treat for the fans.[34]
Milwaukee Bucks (2013–present)
Early years in Milwaukee (2013–2016)
Antetokounmpo with the Bucks in November 2014
On April 28, 2013, Antetokounmpo officially made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft. [35] He fulfilled his draft projections as a first-round pick by being selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee
Bucks. On July 30, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Bucks.[36][37]
Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut on October 13, 2013, at the age of 18 years, 311 days, as
one of the youngest NBA players ever. He averaged 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8
steals, and 0.8 blocks in seventy-seven appearances during his rookie season. He scored in
double figures twenty-three times and grabbed at least ten rebounds twice, with both efforts
resulting in double-doubles. He finished the season with sixty-one total blocks, which led all NBA
rookies, and was the seventh-most by a Bucks newcomer in franchise history. He was selected
to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, where he
tallied nine points, two rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes. At the season's end, he was
named to the 2013–14 NBA All-Rookie second team. [38]
Antetokounmpo's second season with the Bucks saw both individual and team development. On
February 6, 2015, he recorded a then career-high 27 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to
the Houston Rockets. [39] Three days later, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played February 2–8, earning Player of the Week Honors for the first time in his
career.[40] He later competed in the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in
New York. On March 9, he scored a then career-high 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting in a loss to
the New Orleans Pelicans. [41]
In the 2015–16 season, Antetokounmpo developed further individually, upping his scoring average to almost 17 points per game. On November 19, he scored a then career-high 33 points
in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. [42] On December 12, he recorded a near triple-double with 11
points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, helping the Bucks snap the Golden State Warriors' 24-game unbeaten start to the season with a 108–95 win.[43] On February 22, 2016, Antetokounmpo recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 108–101
win over the Los Angeles Lakers. At 21 years old, he became the youngest Buck to record a triple-double.[44][45]
First All-Star years (2016–2018)
Antetokounmpo with the Bucks in December 2016
On September 19, 2016, Antetokounmpo agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension
with the Bucks.[46] Antetokounmpo's fourth year with the Bucks would be his breakout season, as he further increased his statistical output and ascended to stardom. On December 23, he had a
then career-high 39 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a 123–96 win over the Washington
Wizards. [47] A couple of weeks later, Antetokounmpo recorded 27 points and 13 rebounds and made his first game-winning buzzer-beater, a 15-foot turnaround jumper which gave the Bucks a
105–104 victory over the New York Knicks. [48] With 25 points against the Knicks on January 6, Antetokounmpo had at least 20 points in his 14th consecutive game, matching the longest streak
by a Bucks player since Michael Redd in 2006.[49] On January 19, Antetokounmpo was named a starter on the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. [50] At 22 years and 74 days old, he became the youngest player in franchise history to start in an All-Star Game.
He also became the first Greek NBA All-Star.[51] In the game, he led the East with 30 points in a 192–182 loss to the West.[52] On April 3, 2017, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for games played in March. The award was the first of Antetokounmpo's career and the
first for a Buck since Michael Redd won the award in January 2004.[53] Antetokounmpo helped the Bucks finish an Eastern Conference-best 14–4 in March, the franchise's first calendar month with
at least 14 victories since going 16–2 in February 1971. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in every
one of the five major statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) in the
2016–17 regular season, becoming only the fifth NBA player to do so after Dave Cowens, Scottie
Pippen, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James; Nikola Jokić has since matched it.[54] He also became the first player in NBA history to finish in the top 20 in the league in each of the five major
categories in a regular season. As a result of his efforts, Antetokounmpo was named to the All-
NBA Second Team, earning his first All-NBA Honor.[55] He was also named the recipient of the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 2016–17 season, becoming the first player in Bucks history to be named Most Improved Player.[56]
On April 15, 2017, Antetokounmpo scored a playoff career-high 28 points in a 97–83 win over the
third-seed Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.[57] In Game 5 of the series on April 24, Antetokounmpo set a new playoff career-high with 30 points, but could not lead the
Bucks to a win as they lost 118–93 to go down 3–2 in the series.[58] The Bucks went on to lose Game 6 three days later despite a 34-point effort from Antetokounmpo, ending their season.[59]
Antetokounmpo dunking against the Washington Wizards
in 2018
Antetokounmpo began the 2017–18 season on a tear, scoring 175 points over the first five games of the season, including a then career-high 44 points in a 113–110 win over the Portland
Trail Blazers. [60] He averaged almost 27 points during the season, earning his second straight All-Star nomination and All-NBA selection,[61] and broke Kareem Abdul Jabbar's franchise record for triple-doubles.
In Game 1 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo recorded 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a 113–107 overtime
loss.[62] Antetokounmpo's game-winning tip-in in Game 4 equalized the series at two games apiece. However, the Celtics would go on to eliminate the Bucks in seven games, in spite of
Antetokounmpo's 22 points and nine rebounds in Game 7.[63]
Back-to-back MVP and DPOY award (2018–2020)
Starting from the 2018–19 season, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks achieved a period of sustained team success. Under new coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks began the season with seven consecutive victories and went 25–10 before the New Year.[64][65]
Antetokounmpo was critical to this early success, earning the Eastern Conference Player of the
Month awards for October, November, December and February.[66][67][68] On March 17, Antetokounmpo scored a then career-high 52 points to go with 16 rebounds in a 130–125 loss to
the 76ers.[69][70] He avenged this loss in an April 4 victory where he recorded 45 points and 13
rebounds in a 128–122 win over the 76ers, helping the Bucks clinch the No. 1 seed in the
Eastern Conference.[71] Antetokounmpo eventually guided the Bucks to a 60–22 season and the best record in the league. He helped the Bucks advance to the second round of the playoffs for
the first time since 2001 after scoring 41 points in a 127–104 win in Game 4 over the Detroit
Pistons for a four-game sweep.[72][73] The Bucks went on to reach the Eastern Conference Finals,
where they were defeated 4–2 by the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors, despite winning
the first two games.[74] At the 2019 NBA Awards end-of-season night, Antetokounmpo was named the league's Most Valuable Player. [75] He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the second Bucks player to win MVP and became the third youngest player to win the MVP over the previous 40
seasons, behind Derrick Rose and LeBron James.[76] Antetokounmpo began the 2019–20
season with a triple-double, recording 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 117–111
season-opening win over the Houston Rockets on October 24, 2019.[77] On November 25, Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, along with 14 rebounds, in a 122–118 win over
the Utah Jazz. [78] After a December 14 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo had led the Bucks to their 18th straight victory, 2 shy of the franchise record.[79] The winning streak ended on December 16 with a close loss to the Dallas Mavericks, despite Antetokounmpo
recording an efficient 48 points and 14 rebounds.[80] On December 19, Antetokounmpo made a career-high five three-pointers to lead Milwaukee over the Western top seed, the Los Angeles
Lakers and helped the Bucks claim the NBA's best record at 25–4. On January 23, 2020,
Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star Game captain, alongside James, for the second consecutive year.[81][82]
During the season postponement that lasted from early March to the end of July, due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, Antetokounmpo claimed to not have a basketball hoop to practice with.[83] He later clarified that he did have access to a gym and basketball hoop, explaining his earlier comments as a means to "get a little bit ahead of the competition. "[84] Antetokounmpo and the Bucks resumed their campaign against the Boston Celtics on July 31, where Antetokounmpo
led the Bucks to victory with 36 points and 15 rebounds.[85] Although the Bucks finished the seeding games with a 3–5 record, they set the best record in the NBA for the second consecutive
year, finishing with a 56–17 record. On August 12, Antetokounmpo was suspended for one game
without pay for headbutting Moritz Wagner during a game against the Washington Wizards.[86] During the playoffs, the Bucks advanced to the second round but lost 4–1 to the Miami Heat. In Game 2, the Heat's Jimmy Butler was fouled while shooting by Antetokounmpo as time expired, leading to Butler's game-winning walk-off free
throws.[87] Antetokounmpo missed most of Game 4 after re-injuring his right ankle which he twisted in Game 3. Milwaukee won the game, but Antetokounmpo was also out for Game 5,
when the Bucks were eliminated.[88]
On September 18, 2020, Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player
award. In doing so, he joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only players to win MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.[89]
NBA championship and Finals MVP (2020–2021)
On December 15, 2020, Antetokounmpo re-signed with the Bucks, coming to terms on a 5-year,
$228 million extension, the largest in league history.[90] At the 2021 All-Star Game, he played on the team captained by James and scored 35 points on a perfect 16-of-16 shooting from the field
to lead the team to a 170–150 win and became the first non-American to win the All-Star
MVP. [91] The Bucks finished the 2020–21 season with a 46–26 record, clinching the third seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they faced a rematch against the Miami
Heat. In a stark reversal of their upset loss the prior year, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a
four-game sweep, closing out the series with his first playoff triple-double in Game
4.[92] Antetokounmpo also led the Bucks to a seven-game series win over the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where Antetokounmpo averaged 31.9 points, 12.9 rebounds,
and 3.6 assists per game. On June 29, 2021, Antetokounmpo suffered an injury to his left knee
during the third quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta
Hawks after slamming into Clint Capela and landing awkwardly, resulting in a gruesome hyperextension.[93] Antetokounmpo would not return to the game, and the Bucks lost 110–
88.[94] MRI results would later show that he did not suffer any ligament tears.[95] Antetokounmpo was ruled out for both Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals as a result of the knee
injury.[96][97] The series returned to Milwaukee at a 2–2 deadlock, yet the Bucks ended up winning both Games 5 and 6 in his absence, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in 47 years.[98]
Antetokounmpo returned in time for the finals against the resurgent Phoenix Suns. [99] In his Finals debut, he recorded 20 points and 17 rebounds in a 118–108 loss.[100] He then registered back-to-
back games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a Game 2 loss and a Game 3
victory,[101][102] joining Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 as the only players to reach those numbers in consecutive Finals games.[102] He also joined Jordan, O'Neal, and James as the only players to put up at least 40 points in back-to-back Finals games in the previous 50 years.[103] The Bucks continued their comeback after having lost the first two games of the series, prevailing in the next
four contests. In Game 6, Antetokounmpo recorded 50 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks as the
Bucks clinched their first championship in 50 years.[104][105] He posted series averages of 35.2
points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks, and was subsequently named NBA
Finals MVP by a unanimous vote.[9] At 26 years, 226 days old, he is the youngest since Kawhi
Leonard in 2014 to be named Finals MVP,[106] as well as the first European since Dirk
Nowitzki in 2011 to do so.[107] Antetokounmpo also joined Michael Jordan and Hakeem
Olajuwon as the only players to have won the MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year awards during the span of their careers.[108]
Coming up short (2021–2022)
Antetokounmpo in a game in 2021
On October 19, 2021, after receiving his first NBA championship ring in the annual pre-game
ceremony, Antetokounmpo recorded 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in a 127–104
season-opening win over the Nets.[109] On January 13, 2022, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 118–99 win over the Golden State Warriors with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3
blocks, leading both teams in such stats,[110] in less than thirty minutes, and became the first player to record multiple 30-point triple-doubles in 30 minutes;[111] he tied Jordan's career mark of 28 triple-doubles, ranking 18th all-time.[112][113] On February 6, in a 137–113 win over the Los
Angeles Clippers, Antetokounmpo recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, as the Bucks became the first team in NBA history to see their entire starting lineup recorded at least 15
points, five rebounds, and two three-pointers in the same game.[114][115] On February 8, 2022, in a 131–116 win against the Lakers, Antetokounmpo scored 44 points with 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 2
blocks, and 0 turnovers on 17-of-20 shooting from the field;[116][117] it was his 20 straight game recording at least 25 points.[118] On February 15, Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on 17-of-21 shooting from the field in a 128–119 win against
the Indiana Pacers; it marked only the 12th time in NBA history that a player has scored 50 or more points on 80% shooting or better.[119] On March 29, Antetokounmpo scored 40 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, delivered six assists, and had a game-deciding block on Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Bucks to a 118–116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. [120] The following game, Antetokounmpo scored 44 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 6
assists in a 120–119 overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets. He passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the career-leading scorer in Bucks franchise history. Antetokounmpo's record-setting 3-pointer forced overtime, and he made two free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory for
the Bucks.[121][122] Antetokounmpo finished the regular season with a career-high 29.9 points, 11.6
rebounds, and 5.8 assists to become the first player in NBA history to average 25 points or more,
10-plus rebounds, and five assists or more in four separate seasons.[123]
On April 20, during Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, Antetokounmpo logged 33 points,
18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 blocks in a 114–110 loss against the Chicago Bulls. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most playoff points in Bucks franchise history.[124] On 1 May, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Antetokounmpo recorded his second career playoff triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 101–89 win over the Boston
Celtics. He became the first player in franchise history with multiple career playoff triple-doubles[125][126] On May 13, Antetokounmpo posted 44 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 108–95 Game 6 loss. He joined Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA playoff history to post a 40/20/5 game.[127][128] The Bucks would go on to lose to Celtics in Game 7 despite Antetokounmpo's 25-point, 20-rebound, and 9-assist outing. He became the first
player in NBA history to have two hundred points, one hundred rebounds, and fifty assists in a
playoff series, averaging 33.9 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists against Boston.
Antetokounmpo also finished the postseason by averaging 31.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 6.8
assists across the twelve playoff games his Milwaukee Bucks played. He is therefore the first
player in NBA history to average a 31-14-6 line across an entire postseason.[129][130]
On May 21, Antetokounmpo was selected to his fourth consecutive NBA All-Defensive First
Team, which was the fifth career all-defensive team selection for him. It tied him with Hall of
Famer and former two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Sidney Moncrief for most selections in franchise history.[131][132] On May 24, Antetokounmpo was selected to his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team and sixth consecutive overall. He became the first player in club history to earn six All-NBA team Honors, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Sidney Moncrief for
the most in franchise history.[133][134]
Career high in scoring and playoff upset (2022–2023)
On October 22, in the second game of the 2022–23 season, Antetokounmpo recorded 44 points and 12 rebounds on 17-of-21 shooting from the field, playing less than 28 minutes in a 125–105
win over the Houston Rockets; marking just the fifth time in NBA history a player had scored at
least 44 points while playing less than 28 minutes. He went 8 of 13 from the foul line to increase
his total to 3,508 free throws eclipsing Sidney Moncrief, who made 3,505 free throws with the
Bucks, to become the franchise career free throws leader.[135] In the very next game, Antetokounmpo had 43 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in a 110–99 win against the
Brooklyn Nets; 34 of his points came in the second half as the Bucks turned a 12-point deficit at
halftime into an 11-point victory.[136][137] On November 4, Antetokounmpo recorded his 30th career triple-double with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a 115–102 win over the Minnesota
Timberwolves to improve to 8–0, the best start to a season in Milwaukee Bucks franchise history.[138] On December 28, Antetokounmpo scored 45 points, grabbed a career-high 22
rebounds and delivered 7 assists in an 119–113 overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls.[139] The next game, Antetokounmpo had 43 points along with 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a 123–114 win
over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists.
Antetokounmpo also became just the seventh player with multiple games of forty points, twenty
rebounds, five assists and 60% shooting. Since the NBA–ABA Merger in 1976–77
season, Charles Barkley and Antetokounmpo are the only players to do this multiple times.[140]
On January 3, 2023, Antetokounmpo recorded a career-high 55 points, alongside 10 rebounds
and seven assists in a 123–113 win over the Washington Wizards. [141] The next night,
Antetokounmpo posted his 31st career triple-double with 30 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists
in a 104–101 overtime win against the Toronto Raptors. He tied John Havlicek and Draymond
Green for 15th place on the NBA's all-time triple-double list. Antetokounmpo also became the first player to total 200+ points, 80+ rebounds, and 30+ assists over a 5-game span
since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972.[142] On January 23, Antetokounmpo was named the Eastern
Conference captain for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, which marked his seventh overall selection.[143] On January 29, Antetokounmpo posted 50 points and 13 rebounds while playing only 30 minutes in a 135–110 win over New Orleans Pelicans. He shot 20-of-26 from the field, 3-of-4 from three, 7-of-12 from the free throw line. This marked the 10th time this season that
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 40 points, matching the career high he set last year for 40-
point games in a single season.[144] On February 2, Antetokounmpo scored 20 of his 54 points in the fourth quarter, along with 19 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 21-point deficit
to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106–105 for their sixth consecutive victory. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in Bucks history to have at least three 50-point games in a
season.[145] The next game, Antetokounmpo logged his 32nd career triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a 123–115 win over the Miami Heat. [146] On February 16, Antetokounmpo surpassed Paul Pressey for the most assists in Bucks franchise history.[147] On February 19, his team won the 2023 NBA All-Star Game 184–175, defeating Team
LeBron.[148] The win marked Team Giannis' first win in an NBA All-Star Game, having previously lost in 2019 and 2020.[149] On March 19, Antetokounmpo had his 33rd career triple-double, making all nine of his field goal attempts. He recorded twenty-two points, thirteen rebounds and
ten assists in a 118–111 win over the Toronto Raptors. He also played in his franchise-record
712th game, surpassing Junior Bridgeman. [150] On March 29, Antetokounmpo had 38 points, 17
rebounds and 12 assists in a 149–136 victory over the Indiana Pacers. [151] On April 9, Antetokounmpo finished the regular season with a career-high 31.1 points per game and he also
led the Bucks to a league-best 58–24 record.[152] Antetokounmpo also became just the second player in NBA history (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the other) to average 30 points or more, 10-plus
rebounds and 5-plus assists while shooting at least 55% from the field.[153]
In the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks faced the Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. In Game 1, Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion that ruled him out for the remainder of Game 1, as well as the next two games.[154] He returned in Game 4, scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a 119–114 loss.[155] The Bucks lost to the Heat in five games, despite Antetokounmpo's 38-point, 20-rebound outing in a
128–126 closeout overtime loss in Game 5.[156]
National team career
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