How Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 59 points

All the ingredients for a Milwaukee Bucks loss were there Wednesday night. Fifth game in seven days? Check. Second night of a back-to-back? Check. Missing Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis? Triple check. But Milwaukee had one thing working in its favor: Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo was in no mood to let Milwaukee off the hook with a loss. He scored 59 points and led the Bucks to an overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons, securing their first back-to-back wins of the season.

In the process, he sent a reminder to the league that even without his All-Star teammates, he’s enough to tip the scales.

While the Bucks still have a long way to go to dig themselves out of their early season struggles, let’s take a moment to appreciate the force of nature that was Giannis on Wednesday night.

En route to the 59-point outburst, Antetokounmpo shot an astonishing 21-of-31 (61.8 percent) from the field and hit 16 of 17 free throws. Meanwhile, the rest of the Bucks shot just 39.3 percent, making just 24 of 61 attempts.

The Pistons’ defensive scheme – or lack thereof – played a big role in his success. Despite witnessing the demolition in real time, Detroit stubbornly refused to double-team him or build a wall at the rim. Instead, they left Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren and others to fend for themselves. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for them.

Above, Harris was left on an island. Instead of sending help, Detroit seemed content to watch Antetokounmpo back him down, spin the baseline and finish with a reverse layup without getting help sent Harris’ way.

Then there was Paul Reed, who had his turn in the mismatch nightmare. Reed, known more for his hustle than his defensive prowess, was bulldozed under the basket and gave up a slightly contested dunk.

And Duren? Caught flat-footed in isolation at the free throw line, he did his best to stay in front, but he still surrendered an easy seven-foot floater. The Pistons’ approach to defending Giannis felt less like strategy and more like wishful thinking.

When Antetokounmpo got Detroit reeling, he went to work with his mid-range game and showed off a jumper that has suddenly become an acceptable weapon.

This season, Giannis is hitting 46.2 percent of his pull-up twos — a mark that puts him above Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell and Luka Doncic. Against the Pistons, he went 5-for-9 on pull-up twos outside the paint.

The fact that he hits these at a respectable clip changes how defenders have to approach him. They can’t just sink off and wait for him to barrel into the paint anymore. This small improvement in his shooting has opened up his driving lanes, making him even more of a nightmare to guard.

Antetokounmpo’s offensive clinic didn’t end with isolation plays or pull-up jumpers. He also assumed the role of primary ball handler in pick-and-roll situations, partnering with Pat Connaughton and Gary Trent Jr. for a series of successful plays.

Say what you will about Connaughton’s struggles over the past few seasons, but his chemistry with Antetokounmpo is undeniable. Connaughton knows how to place his screens to set Giannis up perfectly for his downhill drives.

Here he came from the dunker spot to set a pick, and reversed it at the last second just as Antetokounmpo hesitated and crossed over to the same side. The combination threw the defense into chaos and Giannis cruised for an easy layup.

For all the talk about Antetokounmpo being a run-and-dunk player, his performance against the Pistons was a testament to how multidimensional his game has become. He handled the ball in pick-and-rolls, hit pull-up jumpers and attacked the rim with surgical precision. It was a night where every piece of his offensive arsenal was on display, and Milwaukee needed every bit of it.

After this monster night, Antetokounmpo now leads the NBA in scoring with 33.3 points per game. match – three points ahead of the next highest player. It’s a testament to his relentless drive and a reminder of just how dominant he is.

With Lillard, Middleton and Portis returning, the Bucks won’t need him to carry such a massive scoring load every night. But until then, he’s more than willing to carry the load, even if it means dropping 59 points on a tiring back-to-back to grab a win.

Milwaukee may have had a ready list of excuses for a loss in Detroit — the second night of a back-to-back, missing key players, fatigue. But they lacked only one reason to win: Giannis.

He refused to let the Bucks falter and injected life into the team with a masterclass that reminded everyone why he is a two-time MVP. As long as he’s healthy and determined, Milwaukee’s title hopes are still very much alive.