Giannis Antetokounmpo Drops 50 As Bucks Crush Struggling Pelicans

• Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second 50-point game this season as he lifted the Milwaukee Bucks over shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans
• The performance further boosted his NBA MVP case for the 2022/23 season
• He is now averaging 31.7 points in 39 games

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo produced another masterclass as they beat a depleted New Orleans Pelicans side 135-110. The Greek star put up 50 points, 13 rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes.

The performance elevated his MVP case and helped his team strengthen third spot in the Eastern Conference. The performance come days after he was named captain for the 2023 NBA All-Star.

This was his second 50-point game this season and his fifth in total. He dropped his career-high 55 points against the Washington Wizards on January 4th 2023. He shot 20-of-26 from the field.

The 28-year-old was phenomenal in the first half. He scored 18 in the first quarter and by halftime, he had 29. He never looked back as the pelicans struggled to contain the two-time MVP.

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Antetokounmpo joins Sixers center Joel Embiid as the only players this season with multiple 50-point, 10-rebound games, per CBS Sports.

Antetokounmpo reacts to epic performance

The 'Greek Freak' now joins elite company with his display. He is now among 26 NBA players to score at least 50 or more points five times, per the Athletic. Towards the end of the game, he sank two three-pointers to take him to 50 for the night.

"I was just trying to be aggressive. Trying to get downhill, trying to get to my spots, trying to work on myself, trying to get back in rhythm, just making plays. This is my fourth game back, just trying to get back in rhythm as I said, tried to make plays and sometimes it works out in your favor."

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He now has ten 40-point games in the NBA this season.

Fans react to Antetokounmpo masterclass

Here are some reaction to that stunning performance.

@brewcityKG23:

"Embiid and jokic wish they were half as good defensively as this man. Best 2 way player in the world. Hands down."

@RaptorsGen:

"Stat padding against the zion less pelicans."

@Lil_Giannis:

"Best player in the world."

@TroIledByAkumpo:

"MVP STOP THE AGENDA IMMEDIATELY."

@Leowolfcule80:

"Boring player in the world."

Antetokounmpo NBA MVP case

In the recently released NBA MVP ladder, the Greek is fourth behind reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid.

The 2021 NBA Finals MVP is averaging 31.7 points, 12 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 39 games this season.

The 2021 NBA champion is having a historic 2022/23 season. This is the first time a player is averaging 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five-plus assists while shooting 50% or better overall since the 1972-73 season by Bucks legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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Antetokounmpo reacts to All-Star captain berth

Sports Brief earlier reported on Antetokounmpo reacting to being named as captain for the 2023 NBA All-Star.

Shortly after the starters were named, the Bucks forward posted a picture on his social media handles with him doing a salute while wearing a radiant smile.

This year's All-Star game will be the third time the Greek has been selected as a team captain. It will also be his seventh consecutive All-Star selection.