MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks owe much of their turnaround from a dreadful start to the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has raised his extraordinary game to an even higher level.
He has three triple-doubles in the last six games he has played.
“He’s been amazing because he’s scoring, but more importantly, he’s getting everybody involved,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after the Bucks' 124-114 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. “It's so difficult to help off a passer that can score. There's a lot of guys in this league who can score, (but) they ain't passing. You can go trap them. You can kind of junk up the game. But the way Giannis is passing, you've got to pick your poison.”
Antetokounmpo had 42 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists Saturday for the highest-scoring triple-double of his career while helping the Bucks win their sixth straight.
After losing eight of their first 10 games this season, the Bucks have won eight of nine to get above .500 at 10-9 for the first time since beating Philadelphia in their season opener. The Bucks' progress was evident Saturday in how they found a way to win on a night when they weren't particularly sharp.
“If this was the third game or fourth game of the season, we probably would have lost that game," Antetokounmpo said. “Now we just know — no matter if it looks pretty, if we're playing well — we've got to figure out ways to win the game.”
Antetokounmpo has been figuring out plenty of ways to help his team lately. His 42-point performance Saturday improved his season scoring average to an NBA-leading 32.9 points.
He also has 11.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.
Rivers said Saturday that this is “by far” the best stretch he's seen from Antetokounmpo since taking over as the Bucks' coach midway through last season.
“Because it’s not just scoring,” Rivers said. “It's everything. He's blocking shots. He's rebounding the ball. He's passing the ball. He's starting our break. Him and Dame (Lillard), their two-man game has been fantastic. He's just doing a lot of stuff for us, and he's doing it in the flow. It doesn't look forced.”
Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double of the season Nov. 16 when he had 22 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists when the Bucks fell 115-114 at Charlotte. The Bucks haven't lost since.
Six nights later, Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 129-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
His latest triple-double came after he sat out a 106-103 victory at Miami on Tuesday with swelling in his left knee. Saturday marked the first game Antetokounmpo had played in a week. He said afterward that it took a while for him to get back into a rhythm, but he noted the time off helped him in other ways.
“I felt powerful because obviously I took two or three days after the Miami game to lift some weights, get my legs under me,” Antetokounmpo said. “So I felt powerful. Every move was powerful out there.”
That power helped Antetokounmpo produce his 48th career triple-double, and eighth with at least 35 points. The Bucks noted after the game that Antetokounmpo matched the number of triple-doubles with 35 points that Michael Jordan accumulated in his career.
Antetokounmpo downplayed the impact of that milestone as he looked forward to the Bucks' upcoming NBA Cup game Tuesday at Detroit.
“I just try not ot pay attention to that,” Antetokounmpo said. “When I'm going to be 40 and somewhere in Hawaii or in the Caribbean and drinking a pina colada and arguing with my wife about how (great) I was when I used to play, I can say, ‘Yeah, me and Michael Jordan did that,’ put myself in the same sentence. For now, I try to stay locked in and focus in on the next one against Detroit.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)
Charlotte Hornets' Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Dejan Joveljic scored his fifth goal of the playoffs in the 86th minute and the LA Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup final for the first time since 2014 with a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference final on Saturday night.
The Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls in next Saturday’s MLS Cup final. The Red Bulls became the lowest-seeded to play for the title with a 1-0 victory over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference final.
The Red Bulls were the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
It will be a record 10th MLS Cup appearance for the Galaxy, who have won five titles. The Red Bulls are making their second trip after losing to the Columbus Crew in 2008.
“I’m super excited for these guys to lift a trophy but the objective is one week away. As one game ends, the anxiety for the next game emerges,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.
Joveljic's goal was set up when the Galaxy intercepted the pass near the sideline. Mark Delgado got the ball and passed to Riqui Puig, who fed it to Joveljic at the top of the box. Joveljic then beat Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei with a shot to the near left post.
It was Puig's seventh goal contribution this postseason (four goals, three assists).
“I’m very happy and proud. This is the most important goal in my professional career,” said Joveljic, who has 20 goals across all competitions. “I knew the goalkeeper was going to make one step to his left. He almost made the save. I was a little bit lucky.”
John McCarthy made four saves for his eighth shutout this season across all competitions. Frei also stopped four shots. The Galaxy had a 13-8 advantage in shots.
“We did enough to not lose the game, but we didn’t do enough to win the game," Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “What we saw tonight was what happened all year. We were struggling to generate chances.”
The Galaxy were the second seed in the Western Conference after not making the playoffs last year. They beat Colorado in two games in the first round and defeated Minnesota 6-2 last Sunday.
The Galaxy and Red Bulls did not face each other during the regular season.
This will be Vanney's sixth trip to an MLS Cup final. He made three with the Galaxy as a player and led Toronto FC to two as a coach, including a win over Seattle in the 2017 final.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei walks off the pitch after a loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy in an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney celebrates after a win over the Seattle Sounders in an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic, right, celebrates his goal with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) during the second half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy players celebrate on the podium after a win over the Seattle Sounders in an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender John Nelson, left, heads the ball over Seattle Sounders midfielder Alex Roldan during the first half an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy defender Miki Yamane, right, shoots past Seattle Sounders forward Georgi Minoungou during the first half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy (77) stops a shot on goal during the first half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Seattle Sounders defender Nathan, right center vies for a header against Los Angeles Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida, left center, during the first half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Seattle Sounders defender Jackson Ragen (25) stands on tue field after a loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy during an MLS Western Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic, left, celebrates after scoring during the second half of an MLS Western Conference final soccer match against the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
