Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores a Career-High 55 Points Over the Wizards

Giannis Antetokounmpo totaled a career-high 55 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists to help lead the Bucks to a 123-113 victory over the Wizards.

Antetokounmpo’s previous career high was a 52-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 17, 2019.

This was Antetokounmpo’s second performance with at least 50 points since Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals when his 50-point effort gave the Bucks their first title after half a century. Antetokounmpo also scored 50 in a 128-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on February 15, 2022.

Giannis’ 143 points in the last 3 games is a Bucks franchise record passing Flynn Robinson’s 129 points from 1969.

55 PTS | 10 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 61 FG% pic.twitter.com/4Qh4s8QXck

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 4, 2023

Antetokounmpo became only the fourth player in NBA history with three consecutive games of at least 40 points, ten rebounds, and five assists, joining Russell Westbrook, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain.

The Greek Freak also had 10 rebounds and seven assists, giving him at least 40 points, ten rebounds, and five assists in his last three games.

WATER BREAK FOR THE FREAK!! 💦 pic.twitter.com/vsGQjFBHf8

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 4, 2023

“He’s gotta see a wall,” said Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. about Antetokounmpo. “It only takes him three, maybe four dribbles to go the length of the floor. So, getting bodies below that, showing a crowd early, and take away those seams…You know, tough to do in transition.”

Antetokounmpo says he tries to improve even more after career-high

“I’m just trying to make good decisions, try[ing] to be aggressive throughout the whole game and at the end of the day, we try to win games,” Antetokounmpo said after the game.

“We’re playing good basketball,” he said. “We defended really well. And I’m just trying to do whatever I can for the team to get a win.”

Antetokounmpo credited extra work on his free throw accuracy with a boost in his recent scoring.

“That’s what I do, I work,” said Antetokounmpo. “A lot of people think my game is boring but I’m just trying to do better, trying to do whatever it takes to help my team win,” he said.

“At the end of the day I’ve got to get better at the free throw line and I’m just trying to put some extra work there, find my teammates, create some open threes and try to attack in the paint as much as I can,” he concluded.