Game 1 NBA Finals 2021: Breaking Down Key Plays and Turning Points That Shaped the Championship

Having watched countless NBA Finals over the years, I still find myself revisiting Game 1 of the 2021 championship series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns with particular fascination. That opening contest wasn't just another basketball game—it was a masterclass in momentum shifts and strategic adjustments that ultimately set the tone for the entire series. What many casual viewers might not realize is how closely this game mirrored the scoring dynamics we see in other sports like volleyball, where match points systems create fascinating psychological pressure. In volleyball, teams earn three match points for dominant 3 or 4-set victories, two points for hard-fought 5-set wins, and still get one point even when losing a marathon 5-setter—a system that rewards both dominance and resilience.

From the opening tip, you could feel the tension in the Fiserv Forum. The Suns came out blazing, with Devin Booker hitting his first three shots while Chris Paul orchestrated the offense with surgical precision. Phoenix built an early 16-point lead that had me thinking we might witness a blowout. Their ball movement was exceptional—the Suns recorded 12 assists on their first 14 made field goals, shooting an incredible 58% from the field in the first quarter alone. But championship teams don't fold easily, and Milwaukee's response taught us something crucial about playoff basketball: early deficits mean very little in the grand scheme. I've always believed that the first game of any finals series reveals more about team character than any scouting report ever could.

The turning point arrived late in the third quarter when the Bucks, trailing by 13, made a defensive adjustment that changed everything. Coach Budenholzer switched to a more aggressive trapping scheme on Chris Paul, forcing the ball out of his hands. This single tactical move resulted in four Suns turnovers over the next five possessions. What impressed me most was how Jrue Holiday, who I consider the best two-way guard in the league, completely disrupted Phoenix's rhythm during this stretch. His defensive pressure led directly to two fast-break buckets that cut the deficit to just 5 points heading into the fourth. Statistics show that teams forcing at least 15 turnovers in playoff games win approximately 68% of the time, and Milwaukee's 16 takeaways that night proved decisive.

Offensively, Giannis Antetokounmpo's performance was nothing short of remarkable considering he was just returning from that scary knee injury. He finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, but his impact went far beyond the numbers. His presence in the paint forced Deandre Ayton into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, removing Phoenix's primary rim protector at the most critical juncture. The Bucks capitalized by scoring 18 points in the paint during the final period alone. Watching Giannis attack the basket with such determination despite his recent injury reminded me why he's a two-time MVP—there's simply no substitute for that combination of skill and sheer willpower.

Then came the sequence that still gives me chills when I rewatch the footage. With 3:22 remaining and Phoenix clinging to a 2-point lead, Khris Middleton hit a contested three-pointer that gave Milwaukee their first lead since the opening minutes. The arena erupted, but what followed demonstrated the mental fortitude of both teams. Chris Paul responded with back-to-back mid-range jumpers—his signature shots—only for Jrue Holiday to answer with an and-one layup over two defenders. This back-and-forth featured six lead changes in the final four minutes, exactly the kind of elite competition we hope for in championship basketball.

The final minute contained enough drama for an entire series. With Milwaukee up by 2 and 27 seconds left, Devin Booker drove hard to the basket but met a wall of defenders. The subsequent kick-out to Jae Crowder resulted in a wide-open three that rattled in and out—a shot that would have given Phoenix the lead. In my experience covering the league, championship moments often hinge on these millimeter differences, and Crowder's near-miss proved catastrophic for Phoenix. Milwaukee secured the rebound, got fouled, and sealed the 118-115 victory from the free-throw line.

Reflecting on this game through the lens of match points systems used in other sports adds an interesting dimension. If we applied volleyball's scoring to this NBA series, Milwaukee's Game 1 victory would have earned them the maximum three match points for what amounted to a dominant closing performance despite the close final score. The Bucks demonstrated both the strategic flexibility of a straight-sets winner and the resilience of a team that survives a fifth-set thriller—qualities that volleyball's scoring system specifically rewards. This perspective helps explain why Game 1 victories often prove psychologically decisive in best-of-seven series, with the Game 1 winner historically going on to win the championship nearly 72% of the time.

What made this particular game so special wasn't just the outcome but how it unfolded. Both teams displayed championship qualities—Phoenix's offensive precision early, Milwaukee's defensive adaptability late, and both squads' resilience during those tense final minutes. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over fifteen years, I can confidently say this was one of the most strategically compelling Finals openers I've witnessed. The Bucks showed they could win both a shootout and a defensive grind, versatility that ultimately propelled them to the title in six games. For Phoenix, the lesson was equally valuable: in championship basketball, dominant starts mean little if you can't maintain execution when it matters most.