With less than three minutes left in the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals, the Milwaukee Bucks found themselves up five against the surging Atlanta Hawks, 103-98, in Vegas. All they had to do to stay alive in the NBA Cup hunt was maintain that lead until the final buzzer sounded.
But the Hawks weren't going to make it easy. Their combined length was making it hard for the Bucks to get into their sets the entire game while they were scoring endlessly on the fastbreak. The Hawks finished forcing more turnovers, while the Bucks were only shooting 31.1 percent from behind the 3-point line, compared to Atlanta's 41.7.
The clock was at 2:38, and every possession from here on out was going to be crucial. Gary Trent Jr. was guarding Trae Young at the point of attack, and Giannis was on Jalen Johnson in the right corner. All it took for Trae Young to get Clint Capela in position for a lob was a quick screen, which Brook Lopez initially attempted to hedge on. A quick pass later, and it seemed like a guaranteed alley-oop play was forthcoming to seal the score at 103-100.
That's not what happened. In a split-second show of athleticism reminiscent of the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis was tracking the play the whole way and came up from the corner to help on the play. He got the block on Capela in mid-air, with the Hawks center already on his way down with the ball. The Bucks went on to win the game as Giannis made history yet again.
UNREAL BLOCK BY GIANNIS! pic.twitter.com/Uw4StJjRqu
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 14, 2024
Giannis reminded everyone how good he is defensively with one play
It wasn’t just a spectacular block—it was a game-saver. The Hawks were on the verge of cutting the lead to three with over two minutes left, but Giannis’ effort preserved Milwaukee’s cushion and deflated Atlanta’s momentum.
This play is the kind of defensive impact that doesn’t show up in simple MVP highlight reels or box scores, but it’s the exact reason why Giannis belongs in the conversation. While Nikola Jokic’s passing wizardry and offensive efficiency are unparalleled, it’s rare for his defense to alter a game in the same way Giannis Antetokounmpo does almost nightly.
In a league that leans heavily on offense, Giannis reminded everyone that defense wins games—and championships. Plays like these are why Antetokounmpo is not just the Bucks’ most valuable player but a legitimate MVP candidate league-wide. When the stakes were at their highest, he once again proved he was the most dominant two-way player in the NBA.
Giannis' potentially game-sealing block on Capela came at a time when he finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds. Speaking of 32 points, 32.7 is his season average in points per game, which happens to lead the league right now. His offensive rating is also league-leading, as well as his points per 36.
The MVP award, more often than not, is swayed by offensive metrics—points per game, assists, shooting splits and the highlight-reel moments that ignite social media. Players like Nikola Jokic, Luka Dončić and Joel Embiid have deservedly garnered attention for their scoring and playmaking prowess, but what Giannis Antetokounmpo brings to the table cannot be measured in scoring alone.
This season, Giannis is averaging 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game—an elite offensive stat line that would stand on its own. But it’s his 1.6 blocks and the sheer number of shots he alters that complete the picture of his dominance. When Antetokounmpo is on the floor, opponents shoot significantly worse at the rim and hesitate to attack the paint, knowing his presence looms. Matchup stats on NBA.com/stats back this up: opposing scorers are only converting on 129-of-295 shots, good for just 43.7 percent efficiency when Giannis is the closest defender.
Giannis isn’t just a force on defense; he’s a singular, game-altering presence. While many stars can dominate with the ball in their hands, few players can bend the game to their will on both ends of the floor. He is the NBA’s ultimate safety valve, a player who can cover defensive mistakes in an instant. His ability to guard every position—from smothering guards on the perimeter to challenging centers at the rim—is unmatched.
Whether they’re switching, dropping Brook Lopez into the paint or blitzing pick-and-rolls, Giannis is the cornerstone that holds it all together. His combination of size, length, and agility allows the Milwaukee Bucks to employ a variety of defensive schemes.
Beyond the stats, it’s moments like the block on Clint Capela that elevate his case. In the postseason or critical games like the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals, when possessions matter most, defense wins games. Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven this time and again, from his chase-down block on Deandre Ayton in the 2021 NBA Finals to countless other game-saving plays in crunch time.
The MVP conversation often favors those who dominate on offense, but isn’t the league’s most valuable player someone who changes the game entirely? Someone who not only scores but also takes on the toughest defensive assignments and creates advantages on both ends? Giannis does that better than anyone.
In an MVP race where offensive stats dominate the discourse, it’s time to reframe the conversation. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t just an MVP candidate because of what he does with the ball in his hands—he’s a candidate because he makes his team better in every conceivable way. Plays like his rejection of Capela are a reminder of his unique impact.
The NBA may celebrate scoring and playmaking, but let’s not forget that championships are built on two-way excellence. Giannis embodies that better than anyone, and it’s why his name belongs near the top of every MVP ballot this season.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.