The 2021 NBA Finals: Ending a half-century drought through sheer grit
In short: The Milwaukee Bucks didn't just win a championship; they ended a 50-year drought for their city and the franchise. After falling behind 2–0 in the series, they orchestrated a historic comeback, becoming only the fifth team in NBA history to win a title after losing the first two games.
The 2021 NBA Finals was a landmark series defined by historical firsts. It was the first time since 1998 that no team from California, Texas, or Florida competed, and the first since 2010 to exclude both LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Furthermore, it was the first Finals since 1971 to feature no players who had previously won an NBA championship.
The path to the title was paved with high-stakes roster construction and physical resilience. The Bucks acquired Jrue Holiday in a four-team trade to bolster their defense before re-signing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez. Despite Antetokounmpo suffering a knee hyperextension in the conference finals, he returned to lead the team, eventually being named Finals MVP.
The series was a grueling test of momentum. The Phoenix Suns held a 2–0 lead, winning both games by a single point. Nevertheless, a surge in scoring powered Milwaukee's return; Middleton and Antetokounmpo joined a trio of duos to each tally 40+ points during one Finals series. The Bucks ultimately secured the title in six games, ending a championship drought that had lasted since 1971.
The 2021 season was also shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced the regular season to 72 games and pushed the Finals start date to July 6—the second-latest in history. These conditions set the stage for a series where the Bucks overcame a 16-point deficit in Game 5 and a 2–0 series deficit to claim their first trophy in five decades.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2021 NBA Finals
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