How Grant Williams Approached ‘Containing’ Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 2: ‘It’s Just You and Him’

The Boston Celtics pulled through in Game 2, winning 109-86 over the Milwaukee Bucks to even the series 1-1. A big part of the reason Boston was able to win was by limiting Giannis Antetokounmpo’s offensive output as much as possible. Grant Williams, who was a primary defender on the Greek Freak, spoke on how he viewed the assignment:

“I view it as guarding him on an island where it’s just you and him, and you have to do your job… he started being a lot more aggressive in the second half and getting downhill and creating for himself. But, it’s just one of those things you just hunker down and trust the work you’ve done and do your best to contain one of the best players in the world.”

Through the two games thus far, the two-time MVP has been guarded by Williams for ten minutes and 20 seconds. He’s shot 44.4 percent from the field, a drastic 12.4 percent difference from his field goal percentage in the first round (56.8 percent).

For comparison’s sake, when you add up the minutes total of Giannis being guarded by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Robert Williams III, the Greek Freak has shot 72.3 percent from the field in six minutes and 31 seconds.

Grant Williams will look to bring that number down in Game 3, which is Saturday at 3:30 pm EST in Milwaukee.