This archive report was first published on 18 July 2021.
On Saturday, July 17, 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks took a crucial step towards ending their 50-year NBA title drought by defeating the Phoenix Suns 123-119 in the NBA Finals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with 32 points, while Jrue Holiday added 27 points, 13 assists, and a game-changing steal from Suns star Devin Booker. The steal led to a lob pass to Antetokounmpo for a slam dunk, sealing the win for the Bucks.
With the win, the Bucks took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series, setting up a decisive Game 6 in Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. If needed, a seventh game would be played in Phoenix on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
“One game away,” Holiday said. “We can’t get too high on the horse. We know the last game is the hardest to win. We know they will come out and play desperate. We’ve got to do the same thing.”
Antetokounmpo praised Holiday’s crucial play, saying, “Big time steal by Holiday and great pass. He trusted me, threw the ball up there. It was a great play by Holiday.”
The Bucks are now one win away from becoming only the fifth team in NBA Finals history to win the crown after dropping the first two games.
