35+17+20! Giannis Antetokounmpo: The League's Third Best Player This Season?

In a season that has already featured some remarkable individual performances, none have stood out more than the one put up by Giannis Antetokounmpo in a recent matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Milwaukee Bucks' star forward delivered a historic performance, logging a 35-point, 17-rebound, and 20-assist triple-double in a 126-113 win. This stat line wasn’t just impressive—it was one for the ages.

To put it in perspective, Giannis became the first player in the past 45 years to record a triple-double of 35+17+20. His 20 assists marked a career-high for him, and he came within three rebounds of matching the 30+20+20 stat line Nikola Jokić recently achieved. In fact, no player in NBA history has recorded this combination of points, rebounds, and assists in a single game—not even LeBron James, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Jokić, or Luka Dončić.

But beyond just the eye-popping numbers, the game itself was a testament to Giannis' ability to carry the Bucks when they needed it most. After trailing by 17 points at the end of the first quarter, Giannis erupted with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the second quarter alone, helping the Bucks claw their way back. In the fourth quarter, Giannis added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, securing the win for his team. His +23 plus-minus in the game also tells the tale—without him on the floor, the Bucks were outscored by 10 points over the span of 9 minutes.

The Reign of Giannis: Dominating the League

What we saw in that game against the 76ers is just a glimpse of the dominant force Giannis has become this season. He has been playing at an extraordinarily high level for quite some time now, and his performance has not been a one-off. In fact, in the previous game, a 133-123 win over the Phoenix Suns, Giannis posted another stat line worthy of admiration: 37 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals, on 60% shooting.

In the five games prior, Giannis has averaged 30.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He has shot 60% or better in each of those contests, which is an incredibly efficient rate for a player who takes as many shots as Giannis does. To put that into historical context, LeBron James is the last player to string together such a stretch—back in the 2012-2013 season, which many consider to be the peak of his career.

The numbers speak for themselves, and Giannis is putting together a season that is likely to be one of the best in his already storied career. Through 63 games, he is averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 60.2% from the field. He ranks 3rd in scoring, 6th in rebounding, and 15th in assists in the entire league. In fact, he is the only player in the NBA this season besides Jokić to rank in the top 15 in all three major statistical categories.

Giannis’ Impact: A One-Man Show

Much like Jokić’s importance to the Denver Nuggets, Giannis is the lifeblood of the Bucks. His presence on the court has an immense impact, and the statistics back that up. When Giannis plays, the Bucks score 118.1 points per 100 possessions and outscore their opponents by 6.1 points. When Giannis is on the bench, the numbers take a dramatic turn—the Bucks score just 107.8 points per 100 possessions and are outscored by 3.6 points. Even more telling is the post-All-Star break numbers, where the Bucks are +7.9 points per 100 possessions when Giannis is on the floor, and -5.0 points per 100 possessions when he’s off.

The difference in team performance with and without Giannis is one of the most stark in the league, and it only reinforces his value to the franchise. The Bucks are in the midst of another playoff push, and Giannis has proven time and again that he can carry the team, both with his scoring and his ability to involve teammates. There’s no question that he is one of the top players in the NBA, but where does he rank among the best this season?

Is Giannis the Third-Best Player in the League?

Looking at the current MVP race, Giannis Antetokounmpo sits firmly as the third-best player in the league, behind Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. According to the latest MVP voting simulations from ESPN, Giannis ranks 3rd overall with 381 points, just behind the two MVP frontrunners. He’s having a career year in terms of efficiency, and his scoring numbers are on par with the game’s elite players. But, in a season where we are witnessing the rise of younger players like SGA and Luka Dončić, the conversation about Giannis’ place in the NBA hierarchy is more interesting than ever.

Giannis' resume is impressive, to say the least. He is a 2-time MVP, 1-time NBA Finals MVP, and has also won the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award. He led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship, where he put up a 50-point game in the Finals clincher. But this season, the Bucks have faced challenges that Giannis hasn’t had to deal with in previous years—namely, the absence of his backcourt partner, Damian Lillard, who has been sidelined with a blood clot issue. While Lillard’s potential return this season could provide a much-needed boost, the Bucks’ ability to contend for the championship remains in question, especially considering their struggles against top-tier Eastern Conference teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks, where they’ve yet to secure a win this season (0-10 overall).

The Bucks' Uncertainty: What Lies Ahead?

Even with Giannis playing at an MVP level, the Bucks’ path to the NBA Finals is far from certain. As of now, they sit at 42-34, good for 5th place in the Eastern Conference. And with the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Knicks all ahead of them, the Bucks have struggled to gain traction against top-tier teams. The injury to Lillard has been a massive blow, and while there is optimism that he could return before the playoffs, the question remains: can the Bucks overcome their shortcomings in time to make a deep playoff run?

If Lillard does not return, it could be a massive blow to the Bucks’ title hopes. While Giannis can carry the team for stretches, having a consistent second option like Lillard would give them the scoring punch they need to match up against the best teams in the league. With Giannis playing at an elite level, it’s still possible for the Bucks to make a run, but without Lillard, it’s hard to see them getting past the likes of the Celtics or Cavaliers in the postseason.

Giannis: A Future to Watch

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Giannis and his ability to carry the Bucks to a championship. If he continues his current form, he could cement his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history. However, the Bucks’ long-term future may depend not just on Giannis, but on the health and performance of Lillard. If the two stars can find a way to mesh in the postseason, the Bucks could be a formidable force. But if they fall short again this year, the questions about Giannis' future in Milwaukee will start to loom larger.

No matter what happens, this season has been another reminder of just how dominant Giannis can be. He has firmly established himself as one of the top three players in the NBA, and his legacy continues to grow with every game he plays.