MILWAUKEE — With about 3:44 left in the first half, the Milwaukee Bucks were leading the Phoenix Suns by 8 points in Game 3 of the N.B.A. It was a crucial opportunity to build momentum heading into halftime, and Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzer pulled Antetokounmpo from the game to try to buy his superstar some rest. Immediately after Antetokounmpo went out, Cameron Payne, a Suns reserve guard, hit an and-1 layup to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 5. Antetokounmpo re-entered the game with 1:32 left in the first half, with the Bucks in a better state than when he left, the first time all series that had happened. In Games 1 and 2, Milwaukee was minus-27 in the rare moments when Antetokounmpo was off the floor.

Source: New York Times July 12, 2021 11:51 UTC