ESPN.com
Jul 21, 2021, 12:00 AM ET
The 2021 NBA Finals are over, and we have a champion we haven't seen in 50 years. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games to win their first NBA title since 1971. The Bucks became the fifth team in NBA history to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win the NBA Finals, the first since the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo closed out the series in style, posting 50 points to clinch the title for Milwaukee and earn Finals MVP honors.
Relive all the ups and downs of an epic Finals series right here.
2021 NBA playoffs: Conf. finals | Conf. semis | First round
Milwaukee Bucks (3) def. Phoenix Suns (2) 4-2
Game 1
Suns 118, Bucks 105
Game 2
Suns 118, Bucks 108
Game 3
Bucks 120, Suns 100
Game 4
Bucks 109, Suns 103
Game 5
Bucks 123, Suns 119
Game 6
Bucks 105, Suns 98
Nets open as '21-22 favorites; Lakers, Bucks next
CP3 nemesis Foster to ref Game 6 of NBA Finals
Williams sees confidence in Suns coming off loss
On the eve of Game 6, Giannis preaching focus
Giannis, still awed by block, ready to shift focus
CP3 'not dwelling' on G4 woes, says hand 'good'
Booker forgets Game 3 woes with short memory
'Giannis Wall' motivates, humbles Bucks star
Giannis keeping mood 'light' despite Finals deficit
Bucks coach says disparity in FTs frustrating
Game 6: Bucks 105, Suns 98
• Giannis scores 50, Bucks win 1st title since 1971
• CP3 not considering retirement after Finals loss
• Shootings during Milwaukee celebration wound 3
• NBA world has changed since Bucks' first title
Leaders
Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks - 50 points
Rebounds: Antetokounmpo - 14 rebounds
Assists: Jrue Holiday, Bucks - 11 assists
Game 6 box score | Game 6 highlights
Tweet of the Night
Aye! Enjoyed watching greatness out there tonight. GREATNESS! @Giannis_An34 congrats bro
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 21, 2021
The championship evolution of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Eight years ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo was an 18-year-old rookie who had barely spent any time outside of Greece. Today, he is a two-time MVP and newly crowned NBA champion.
How good was Giannis' Game 6 performance?
The output and his team's need for every stat produced marks this as one of the greatest modern displays in Finals history, writes Kevin Pelton.
Game 5: Bucks 123, Suns 119
• Holiday: 'Right place, time' on game-sealing play
• Suns coach Williams: 'Whatever it takes' to get to Game 7
Leaders
Points: Devin Booker, Suns - 40 points
Rebounds: Deandre Ayton, Suns - 10 rebounds
Assists: Jrue Holiday, Bucks - 13 assists
Game 5 box score | Game 5 highlights
Tweet of the Night
1 more. #
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) July 18, 2021
One win away, Jrue Holiday and the Milwaukee Bucks are staying the course
With his parents in the stands, Jrue Holiday made the steal of the game and kept the Bucks on course, writes Ramona Shelburne.
Game 4: Bucks 109, Suns 103
• Middleton, Giannis rescue Bucks from the brink
• CP3 on costly turnovers: 'Bad decision-making'
Leaders
Points: Devin Booker, Suns - 42 points
Rebounds: Deandre Ayton, Suns - 17 rebounds
Assists: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks - 8 assists
Game 4 box score | Game 4 highlights
Tweet of the Night
That Giannis block was crazy... @KingJames esque!!
— andre (@andre) July 15, 2021
The Bucks finally got the 'Khris Middleton game' when they needed it the most
Giannis Antetokounmpo's block grabbed the spotlight, but Khris Middleton's 40-point effort pushed Milwaukee to a critical Game 4 win, writes Kevin Arnovitz.
Giannis' clutch block in Game 4 gives NBA world LeBron 2016 vibes
Deandre Ayton caught an alley-oop late in the game with the chance to tie -- and found Giannis Antetokounmpo waiting at the rim, and the NBA world reacted.
Game 3: Bucks 120, Suns 100
• Led by Giannis, Bucks flip script in Game 3 win
• Williams after loss: We had 16 FTs to Giannis' 17
Leaders
Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks - 41 points
Rebounds: Antetokounmpo - 13 rebounds
Assists: Jrue Holiday, Bucks/Chris Paul, Suns - 9 assists
Game 3 box score | Game 3 highlights
Tweet of the Night
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the 1st player to score 40+ points in back-to-back NBA Finals games since LeBron James (41 points in Games 5 and 6 of the 2016 Finals). pic.twitter.com/OrhAMN4zXl
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 12, 2021
The Bucks didn't waste another legendary Giannis performance
In the first NBA Finals game in Milwaukee in 47 years, the Bucks leaned on their superstar to climb back into the series, writes Kevin Arnovitz.
Game 2: Suns 118, Bucks 108
• 'Melted them': Booker's timely triples lead Suns
• Giannis: Holiday will be there when we need him
• Suns' Craig exits Game 2 with right knee injury
Leaders
Points: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks - 42 points
Rebounds: Antetokounmpo - 12 rebounds
Assists: Chris Paul, Suns/Khris Middleton, Bucks - 8 assists
Game 2 box score | Game 2 highlights
Tweet of the Night
Devin "Cold Blooded" Booker. Man (Sidney Dean voice) "that jumper is pretty, it's so pretty"...
— Elder Marques Johnson (@olskool888) July 9, 2021
Five big takeaways from Game 2
Devin Booker's 31 points on Thursday have the Suns halfway to the title. Can the Bucks bounce back? Our NBA experts break down Game 2.
Game 1: Suns 118, Bucks 105
• Suns follow CP3's lead in win: 'Let him orchestrate'
• Suns lose Saric early in Game 1 to torn ACL
• Pelton: How Saric's injury impacts Suns' pursuit
• Giannis: Thought I'd be out a year, now pain-free
Leaders
Points: Chris Paul, Suns - 32 points
Rebounds: Deandre Ayton, Suns - 19 rebounds
Assists: Paul/Jrue Holiday, Bucks - 9 assists
Game 1 box score | Game 1 highlights
Tweet of the Night
1 down. 3 to go @CP3
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 7, 2021
Chris Paul earned his moment in the sun
The NBPA president played a big role in the NBA even getting to this point, so it was fitting he took a starring role in the Suns' Game 1 win, writes Ramona Shelburne.
Coverage of the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis and the Bucks are forcing ridiculous shot-making from Phoenix -- and it's working
With Giannis as their anchor, the Bucks' elite defense has plugged passing lanes CP3 and Devin Booker have long exploited. The result? More isolations for the backcourt duo -- and absurdly difficult shots.
Read Zach Lowe's story
Get used to seeing Giannis on this stage, folks
History tells us when players dominate the paint like Giannis does, they tend to dominate the playoffs too.
Read Kirk Goldsberry's story
How P.J. Tucker found his place in the NBA
For every tale of Tucker's elite fashion sense or locker-room antics, there are twice as many about the undersized power forward's near-legendary competitive streak.
Read the story from Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon
How the Milwaukee Bucks finally constructed a title contender
From Giannis Antetokounmpo's breakout to the hiring of Mike Budenholzer, from building a diamond of an arena to the signing of Brook Lopez, here are nine critical moments that brought the Milwaukee Bucks from mediocrity to title contender.
Read Kevin Arnovitz's story
How the Suns got to the Finals
First round: Def. Los Angeles Lakers (7), 4-2
Conf. semis: Def. Denver Nuggets (3), 4-0
Conf. finals: Def. LA Clippers (4), 4-2
Whether destiny or redemption, the Suns' story is improbable and unique
Whether they're a team of destiny or they're controlling it themselves, Chris Paul and the Suns are on an unprecedented path to the NBA Finals.
Read Brian Windhorst's story
How the Suns' devastating pick-and-roll is picking apart the NBA
After adding wrinkles and layers to what was an ordinary offense, the Suns have developed a high-octane pick-and-roll attack -- and few have shown any ability to slow it down.
Read Zach Lowe's story
Inside Deandre Ayton's road map to the upper tier of NBA centers
Being overshadowed by Luka Doncic doesn't mean the No. 1 pick from the 2018 draft is lacking potential -- far from it. There are moments when he elevates himself into the upper tier of NBA centers, a development that could reshape the future of the Western Conference.
Read Brian Windhorst's story
How the Bucks got to the Finals
First round: Def. Miami Heat (6), 4-0
Conf. semis: Def. Brooklyn Nets (2), 4-3
Conf. finals: Def. Atlanta Hawks (5), 4-2
The Bucks have reached the final level, but can they beat the Suns without Giannis?
The wounded Milwaukee Bucks rode Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday into the Finals, but will they have enough to handle their final challenge?
Read Kevin Arnovitz's story
Why the Bucks' MVP and closer might not be the same player
The Bucks have the NBA's most devastating finisher in Giannis Antetokounmpo. They spent a fortune to land All-Star guard Jrue Holiday. So why is it that Khris Middleton might hold the key to their championship dreams?
Read Kevin Arnovitz's story
Everything is fuel for Giannis Antetokounmpo's competitive fire
There isn't a space, venue or room that Giannis Antetokounmpo can't turn into an arena for friendly combat.
Read Malika Andrews' story
Historical NBA Finals coverage
2020: LeBron, Lakers back on top
The Los Angeles Lakers conquered the NBA's Orlando bubble, defeating the Miami Heat in six games for the 17th championship in franchise history.
Complete 2020 NBA Finals coverage
2019: Kawhi becomes King in the North
For the first time in NBA history a team outside the United States won the championship, as the Toronto Raptors knocked off the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Complete 2019 NBA Finals coverage
2018: How sweep it is for Warriors
The Golden State Warriors capped off a second consecutive title run by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.
Complete 2018 NBA Finals coverage
2017: Durant puts Warriors back on top
The Golden State Warriors were nearly perfect in 2017, going 16-1 in the playoffs en route to winning the NBA championship.
Complete 2017 NBA Finals coverage
2016: 'Cleveland, this is for you!'
LeBron James and the Cavaliers ended Cleveland's 52-year title drought by becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.
Complete 2016 NBA Finals coverage
