Adobe Freestock
By Duane Rankin | Arizona Republic
MILWAUKEE — Goodbye, NBA Finals.
Hello, disappointment and heartbreak.
The Phoenix Suns failed to force a decisive Game 7 in the NBA Finals.
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated them, 105-98, in Tuesday night’s Game 6 before a sellout crowd of 17,397 at Fiserv Forum to win the 2021 NBA championship.
“It hurts. Badly,” Suns coach Monty Williams after the Game 6 loss. “But I’m also grateful that we had this chance to play for a championship.”
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a playoff career-high 50 points in Game 6 in leading the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. They won their only previous title in 1971.
Tying a finals record for most points in a closeout game set by Bob Pettit in 1958 Antetokounmpo was voted the NBA Finals MVP as he also grabbed 14 boards and blocked five shots.
“I never thought I was going to be 26 years old with my team playing in the NBA Finals,” Antetokounmpo said as he sat at the interview table holding the NBA championship trophy and finals MVP trophy.
“Just playing. I was just happy being a part of this. Not even winning. Just being a part of this journey, but I never thought ever I’d be 26 and I’d be sitting in this chair with this right here (pointing at Larry O’Brien Trophy) and this right here (pointing at Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy). We’ve come a long way.”
