Bucks Zone

Relive Giannis Antetokounmpo's breathtaking slam over Tim Hardaway Jr. in Madison Square Garden

Giannis put on a show at the world's most famous arena.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is called the "Greek Freak" for a reason. It's because, at 7 feet, he can still do things no other player in the NBA can do—like jump over a 6-foot-6 player for a thunderous slam at the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. That's exactly what Giannis did five years ago when the Milwaukee Bucks visited Manhattan to play the New York Knicks.

Bad turned to worse for the Knicks

In that game, the Knicks suffered a brutal loss in the form of a torn ACL suffered by then-ace Kristaps Porzingis. Little did they know that the night would get worse, thanks to Giannis. The play happened early in the third quarter when Khris Middleton intercepted a crosscourt pass and initiated a two-on-one break with Knicks wingman Tim Hardaway Jr. in the middle and Giannis on the right side.

Hardaway stayed in the middle to try and intercept the pass, but it was too late. Giannis had already made up his mind—he wanted to fly over Hardaway Jr. and throw down an epic dunk. And that’s exactly what he did, soaring through the air to catch Middleton's lob pass with a single arm fully extended for an impossible one-handed slam. The crowd erupted in awed amazement, the murmur extending long after the play had concluded.

Bad pass

Afterward, Giannis was asked about the play, and the first thing he commented on was how awful the pass by Middleton was. But like how artists often say that great art comes from mistakes, the same can be said about this particular play.

"It was a bad pass by Khris, but I was able to get up and go get the ball," shared Giannis. "I did not see Tim Hardaway."

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.