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Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokić Duel Thrills NBA Fans as Bucks Beat Nuggets

zach bacharContributor IFebruary 13, 2024

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 12, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

In a battle between former MVPs on Monday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged victorious.

Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets by the final score of 112-95.

The 2021 NBA Finals MVP was a force on the glass, grabbing 18 rebounds in addition to his game-high 36 points. He also dished out five assists while recording two blocks and three steals, showing why he’s a former Defensive Player of the Year.

Although Damian Lillard connected on just six of his 15 shots, Antetokounmpo helped carry the scoring load as he did all of his damage inside the arc. Fans applauded his dominant performance.

Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks

Giannis in his bag. pic.twitter.com/nSrG5cHtD9

NBA TV @NBATV

26 first half PTS for Giannis 👀 pic.twitter.com/VvNjMKEDyL

Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral

Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight:

36 Points
18 Rebounds
5 Assists
3 Steals
2 Blocks
73% FG

Only played 30 minutes. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iMpuBWv8gx

Ti Windisch @TiWindisch

Giannis is simply too strong for all the non-Jokic Nuggets and he is simply too fast for Jokic. They’ve got nothing for him.

26 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block on 10/12 shooting in less than 16 (!!!) minutes. Best he’s ever played.

³⁴ @GiannisWorld

Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight in 30 minutes:

36 Points
14/19 FG (74%)
18 Rebounds
5 Assists
3 Steals
2 Blocks

This man is the MVP of the NBA‼️‼️🔥pic.twitter.com/x1yN8Po7Dn

GiannisMuse 🦌 @GiannisMuse

Giannis tonight vs DEN

— 36 points
— 18 rebounds
— 5 assists
— 3 steals
— 2 blocks
— 73.7 FG%

MVP!!! pic.twitter.com/Fn8I7QEdyt

Nathan Marzion @nathanmarzion

Giannis is UNBELIEVABLE.

StatMuse @statmuse

Most 30/15/5 games over the last 30 seasons:

49 — Giannis
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26 — Jokichttps://t.co/o5F9Atcu6W

Scott Grodsky @ScottGrodsky

Giannis finishes with 36 points and 18 rebounds in 30 minutes.

He now leads the NBA with four 35+ point and 15+ rebound games this season.

Jokić nearly finished with a triple-double, dropping 29 points and 12 rebounds to go along with eight assists. He hit 52 percent of his field goals and 40 percent of his looks from behind the arc, although head coach Michael Malone’s squad struggled to hit shots all night long. As a team, the Nuggets connected on just 28 percent of their triples.

Denver Nuggets @nuggets

Joker hits one from beyond the arc 🎯 pic.twitter.com/JR1rhfaWPe

Denver Nuggets @nuggets

14 points in Q1 for Joker 🃏 pic.twitter.com/MhlsaOaTzy

StatMuse @statmuse

MVP candidates tonight:

Giannis — Jokic —
36 PTS 29 PTS
18 REB 12 REB
5 AST 8 AST

Blow out win by the Bucks. pic.twitter.com/mjOHXFk8bu

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind

Nikola Jokic getting a lot of help tonight. pic.twitter.com/byI7bhBTwH

Swipa @SwipaCam

Every Nugget not named Jokic has been HORRIBLE

NuggetsMuse @NuggetsMuse_

Nikola Jokic in a loss vs the Bucks:

29 POINTS
12 REBOUNDS
8 ASSISTS
13/25 FG
2/5 3PT

Get the man some help pic.twitter.com/d4QF99c7iD

Milwaukee moved to 35-19, as the Bucks have now won two games in a row under new head coach Doc Rivers. Meanwhile, Denver fell to 36-18 and currently sits in fourth place in a tight race at the top of the Western Conference standings.

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