Relive the Epic Game 1 of NBA Finals 2021: Key Plays That Changed Everything

I still remember sitting on my couch that Tuesday night, the anticipation building as Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals tipped off. Phoenix against Milwaukee - what seemed like an unlikely matchup at season's start had become reality. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over a decade, I've learned that opening games often set the tone for entire series, but this one? This was something special.

The Suns came out blazing, no question about it. Devin Booker hitting those early threes, Deandre Ayton dominating the paint - Phoenix built that 13-point lead in the first half and honestly, I thought they might run away with it. But here's what casual viewers miss: championship teams don't fold that easily. Milwaukee had been through battles all postseason, and you could see that experience in how they weathered that early storm. What fascinated me most was watching Chris Paul orchestrate the offense - at 36, playing in his first Finals, he was conducting basketball poetry. His 32 points and 9 assists don't even tell the full story of how he controlled the game's tempo.

Then came the moment that changed everything - Giannis Antetokounmpo's knee. When he went down in the Eastern Conference Finals, most people wrote off the Bucks' chances. I'll admit, I was skeptical too. But his return for Game 1, even if not at 100%, sent a psychological message that reverberated through both teams. Watching him battle through what appeared to be significant discomfort while still putting up 20 points and 17 rebounds - that's championship DNA right there. The way his teammates responded to his presence created this fascinating dynamic where Milwaukee played with what I can only describe as "inspired caution."

Now, let me draw an interesting parallel to that reference knowledge about match points. In volleyball, teams get three match points for a 3 or 4-set win, two for a 5-set win, and one for a 5-set loss. Think about basketball in these terms - Phoenix essentially secured what would equate to a "3-set win" in the first three quarters, building what felt like an insurmountable lead. But Milwaukee fought back in that fourth quarter like a team determined to at least secure that "one match point for a 5-set loss" scenario - except in basketball, there are no consolation points. You either win or you don't.

The critical sequence came with about five minutes left - Khris Middleton's back-to-back baskets followed by Jrue Holiday's defensive stop against Booker. That three-possession stretch was where Milwaukee announced they weren't going away, where they shifted from playing not to lose to playing to win. Holiday finished with just 10 points but his impact? Immeasurable. His defense on Paul in the closing minutes reminded me of those classic playoff battles from the 90s.

What many analysts missed in their post-game breakdowns was the coaching chess match happening throughout. Monty Williams adjusting his pick-and-roll coverage, Mike Budenholzer finally shortening his rotation - these subtle adjustments created the foundation for Milwaukee's eventual series victory. I've always believed coaching in the Finals is about making tiny tweaks rather than sweeping changes, and both staffs demonstrated that beautifully.

The final minutes had me literally on the edge of my couch. Paul's mid-range jumper with 1:15 left that put Phoenix up 4 felt like it might be the dagger. But then Milwaukee's resilience shone through - Middleton's cold-blooded three, followed by that crucial defensive stop when they needed it most. The game ultimately came down to one possession, with Phoenix having a chance to tie in the final seconds. That's what makes reliving the epic Game 1 of NBA Finals 2021 so compelling - it contained all the drama, strategy, and heart that makes basketball beautiful.

Looking back, this game taught me something about championship mentality. Both teams displayed what I now call "match point mentality" regardless of the sport - that understanding that every moment carries weight beyond the immediate score. Phoenix's 118-105 victory in Game 1 set the stage for one of the more memorable Finals in recent years, but more importantly, it demonstrated how basketball, much like that volleyball reference system, rewards teams that understand the value of every single possession. The key plays that changed everything weren't just about spectacular dunks or deep threes - they were about defensive rotations, box outs, and the mental fortitude to perform under ultimate pressure. That's what separates great teams from champions, and why this Game 1 remains etched in my memory as a masterclass in playoff basketball.