Call him Brook Lopezinikous. Brook Lopez stepped up huge for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday to carry them to the crucial Game 5 win sans main man Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Apparently, even when he's not suited up, Giannis made his presence felt in the game by transferring his elastic soul to Lopez, who scored a postseason career-high 33 points. Splash Mountain made most of his damage down low, scoring 26 points in the shaded area.
According to ESPN Statistics & Information, that's tied with Giannis for the second most points in the paint by a Bucks player in the NBA Playoffs in the last 25 years.
26 of Lopez's 33 points in Game 5 came in the paint. That's tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo for the 2nd-most points in the paint by a Bucks player in a playoff game over the last 25 postseasons. pic.twitter.com/k0KFmXzEam
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 2, 2021
What are the odds, right?
It was the Bucks' turn to be saved by a savvy veteran following the injury to their star player. In Game 4, Lou Williams led the Atlanta Hawks to victory minus All-Star guard Trae Young.
Lopez got plenty of help as well though, with Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Bobby Portis all chipping in at least 22 points. Their all-around effort wasn't lost on the 33-year-old Lopez.
“I thought we just did a great job of playing together. Obviously, Khris and Jrue did their normal job making plays for everyone. We want everyone scoring and doing their thing. That's tough on a defense.”
Lopez has been largely pedestrian for the Bucks against the Hawks prior to his Game 5 explosion. And it couldn't come at a better time. Now, they're just a win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.
Petition to make Brook Lopez the fourth Antetokounmpo brother.
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