The Milwaukee Bucks scratched and clawed their way to a 109-103 win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals over the Phoenix Suns to even the series 2-2. Khris Middleton and Devin Booker put on a show Wednesday night, as the two stars traded buckets during the contest. Booker one-upped Middleton in the box score by outscoring him 42 to 40, but the Bucks would have the last laugh.
In the aftermath of the back-and-forth affair, the one thing everyone couldn't stop talking about was the fourth-quarter block by Giannis Antetokounmpo on Deandre Ayton.
Middleton had just given the Bucks a 101-99 lead with 1 minute, 28 seconds to go. On the ensuing possession, Booker drove toward Giannis into the lane and lobbed a pass at the rim to a cutting Ayton, but Antetokounmpo recovered and had a meeting at the rim with the former No. 1 overall pick. Instead of a tie game with 1:14 to play, the Giannis rejection sent the Milwaukee crowd into a frenzy and the Suns never had another chance to pull even.
Giannis rises for the rejection in #PhantomCam.. #NBAFinals tied at 2-2. pic.twitter.com/iYEYn9mzgY
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2021
Giannis meets it at the top in #PhantomCam as the @Bucks tie the #NBAFinals.. Game 5 is Saturday at 9 PM ET on ABC. pic.twitter.com/rMBludN9hd
— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2021
The NBA's best took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the block and what it could mean for the rest of the series.
That block by Giannis might have won them the game
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 15, 2021
The championship* https://t.co/5l9jXGZo28
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) July 15, 2021
That block by Giannis one of the best i ever seen
— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) July 15, 2021
If the Bucks win that block is the play of the series
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 15, 2021
That Giannis block has gotta be up there w Lebrons block from the Finals! And def rootin a 2-2 tie and more drama in this series. Best of 3 now!! #NBAFinals
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) July 15, 2021
The rejection by Giannis reminded many of LeBron James' iconic block on Andre Iguodala during Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers would go on to win the title over the Golden State Warriors in that game, but Iguodala was quick to pay homage to James. Could Giannis' block swing the title chances in the Bucks' favor?
That Giannis block was crazy... @KingJames esque!!
— andre (@andre) July 15, 2021
They close this series and that block is legendary! https://t.co/K6Poy5FymO
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 15, 2021
Giannis' teammates, including Pat Connaughton, certainly appreciated the moment.
"It's, in my opinion, the best block of all time."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 15, 2021
-Pat Connaughton on Giannis' block on Deandre Ayton pic.twitter.com/dridZ2Ne8J
"It was one of those 'Oh, s---!' moments," Middleton said. "It was like, 'Aww, man, we gave up a layup' -- next thing you know he's blocking it."
"That's an elite block," Jrue Holiday said. "To be able to read that he's going to throw the lob and go up there and get it, that's elite."
For Giannis, it was all about not being put on a poster.
"I thought I was going to get dunked on, to be honest," he said.