Game 1 NBA Finals 2021: Key Plays and Turning Points That Decided the Championship Opener

As I settled into my couch with that familiar mix of anticipation and nerves, Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals felt different from the opening tip. The energy was palpable even through the screen, a crackling tension between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns that promised a chess match disguised as a basketball game. I’ve always believed the first game sets the psychological tone for the entire series, and what unfolded that night was a masterclass in momentum swings, strategic gambles, and a few key plays that ultimately decided the championship opener in favor of the Suns. Let me walk you through the pivotal moments that, in my view, tilted the scales.

From the outset, the Bucks seemed determined to impose their physical will, especially through Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was playing despite a hyperextended knee that had many of us, myself included, doubting his effectiveness. He started aggressively, attacking the rim and finishing with a couple of powerful dunks that had me nodding in appreciation. His sheer force is something I’ve always admired; it’s a reminder of how a single player’s gravity can warp an entire defense. But Phoenix, cool and composed, had a counterpunch ready. They spread the floor, moving the ball with a fluidity that Milwaukee struggled to contain. Chris Paul, in his first Finals appearance at 36, was surgical. He orchestrated the offense with a patience that comes from years of near-misses, and his mid-range jumpers were falling with an almost insulting ease. By the end of the first quarter, the Suns had built a 30-26 lead, but it felt tighter than the score suggested. I remember thinking then that this game would hinge on which team could sustain their runs without letting the other claw back too easily.

The second quarter is where the turning points began to crystallize, and frankly, it’s where Milwaukee’s strategy started to show cracks. They were relying heavily on Giannis, who ended the game with 20 points and 17 rebounds—a stat line that looks impressive but, in context, felt a bit hollow because the Bucks’ perimeter players couldn’t capitalize on the attention he drew. Khris Middleton, usually so reliable, had an off night, shooting just 6-of-16 from the field. As someone who’s analyzed countless playoff games, I’ve seen how one player’s slump can ripple through the whole team, and Middleton’s struggles allowed Phoenix to pack the paint without fear. Then came a sequence that, for me, was the game’s true turning point: with about five minutes left in the half, Devin Booker hit back-to-back three-pointers, pushing the Suns’ lead to 12 points. The first was a contested shot over Jrue Holiday, but the second came off a slick pass from Paul in transition, and it felt like a dagger even that early. I recall leaning forward, thinking, "This is it—the Suns are seizing control, and Milwaukee looks rattled." It’s moments like these where the intangible "match points" concept from other sports, like volleyball, comes to mind; in a tight series, every win carries weight, and Phoenix was playing like they understood the stakes of grabbing that early advantage.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, the Suns didn’t let up, and that’s where their depth shone. Deandre Ayton was a force in the paint, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds, and his defensive presence disrupted Milwaukee’s drives time and again. I’ve always been a fan of big men who anchor a defense without needing the ball on every possession, and Ayton exemplified that. But what really stood out to me was the Suns’ bench contribution; Cameron Payne provided a spark with 10 points and some pesky defense, while Mikal Bridges hit a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead to 18 points late in the quarter. On the flip side, the Bucks’ adjustments felt slow. Coach Budenholzer waited too long, in my opinion, to switch up defensive assignments, and by the time they tried doubling Paul, he’d already dissected them for 32 points and 9 assists. I couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated for Milwaukee fans; their team had the talent to keep it close, but the execution was lacking in key moments. For instance, when Giannis went to the free-throw line late in the third, he missed both shots, and the Suns capitalized with a fast-break layup that felt like a backbreaker. It’s those small details—missed free throws, defensive lapses—that accumulate and decide games, much like how in a tied record scenario, those extra "match points" from a dominant win can break a tie.

By the fourth quarter, the outcome seemed all but sealed, but Milwaukee made a valiant push that had me on the edge of my seat. They cut the lead to single digits with about seven minutes left, fueled by Jrue Holiday’s aggressive drives and a couple of steals that led to easy buckets. Holiday finished with 17 points, but his impact felt bigger in those moments, and I found myself wondering if the Bucks could pull off a comeback reminiscent of their earlier series. However, Phoenix’s composure under pressure was impressive. Paul, in particular, hit a clutch jumper over Giannis with under three minutes to go, essentially icing the game. That shot, for me, symbolized the Suns’ maturity; they didn’t panic when the lead shrunk, and they trusted their system. Reflecting on the final score of 118-105, it’s clear that the Suns’ balanced attack and strategic discipline were the difference-makers. In broader terms, this opener reminded me why I love the Finals—it’s not just about star power, but about which team executes in those critical, game-defining moments. Looking ahead, if Milwaukee can tighten their perimeter defense and get more from their role players, this series could swing, but after Game 1, Phoenix has firmly planted their flag.