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.
Article Continues BelowLopez 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.