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Your Complete Guide to the 2021 NBA Finals Schedule and Key Matchup Dates
As I sit down to write this complete guide to the 2021 NBA Finals schedule, I can't help but reflect on how injuries have shaped this postseason in ways nobody could have predicted. Just look at what happened to Rey Nambatac - the guy was dealing with both a groin injury and hip flexor issues that ultimately kept him off the playoff roster entirely. That's the brutal reality of professional basketball at this level; one moment you're chasing championship glory, the next you're cheering from the sidelines while focusing on recovery. It really puts into perspective how fortunate we are to witness these Finals with most key players healthy and ready to compete.
The 2021 NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns kicked off on July 6th at Phoenix Suns Arena, and let me tell you, the atmosphere was electric despite the ongoing pandemic restrictions. I remember watching that first game thinking how surreal it felt after last year's bubble playoffs. The Suns took Game 1 with a 118-105 victory behind Chris Paul's 32-point masterpiece - the man was absolutely surgical in his dissection of Milwaukee's defense. Game 2 followed on July 8th, another Phoenix win at 118-108 that had many commentators, myself included, wondering if this might be a short series. The Suns were clicking on all cylinders, with Devin Booker dropping 31 points and Deandre Ayton continuing his breakout postseason performance.
What happened next was perhaps the most crucial turning point of the entire series. The scene shifted to Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum for Game 3 on July 11th, and the Bucks came out with a different level of intensity that you could feel even through the television screen. Giannis Antetokounmpo, playing through that scary knee injury from the Atlanta series, put up 41 points and 13 rebounds in a 120-100 rout that completely changed the series momentum. This is where Nambatac's situation really resonates with me - watching Giannis play through pain while other athletes like Nambatac have to sit out entirely shows how fine the line is between playing through discomfort and risking further injury.
Game 4 on July 14th gave us one of those iconic NBA Finals moments that will be replayed for decades. With the Suns leading by one with just seconds remaining, Jrue Holiday made a spectacular steal from Devin Booker that led to a Giannis alley-oop and foul - a sequence that ultimately sealed Milwaukee's 109-103 victory and tied the series. I've watched basketball for over twenty years, and that defensive play by Holiday ranks among the most clutch I've ever witnessed. The series was now effectively a best-of-three, and you could feel the pressure mounting on both teams.
The pivotal Game 5 on July 17th returned to Phoenix, and what a contrast it presented to the injury situations we've seen throughout these playoffs. While players like Nambatac were forced to watch from home, both teams in this game had their stars available and delivered an absolute classic. The Suns won 123-119 behind Booker's 40-point performance, but it was Milwaukee's resilience that impressed me most - they fought back from multiple double-digit deficits and nearly stole the game on the road. This back-and-forth battle set up what would become one of the most memorable conclusions to an NBA season in recent memory.
When the teams returned to Milwaukee for Game 6 on July 20th, the stage was set for basketball history. The Bucks dominated from start to finish, winning 105-98 and securing their first championship in fifty years. Giannis delivered one of the greatest closeout performances in Finals history with 50 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks - numbers that still feel surreal when I look at them. His journey from Greece to NBA champion, combined with his decision to stay in Milwaukee rather than chase superteams elsewhere, makes this one of the most satisfying championship stories I've covered in my career.
Reflecting on this entire playoff run, the contrast between those who competed and those like Nambatac who couldn't participate due to injury creates a poignant narrative about professional sports. The 2021 NBA Finals gave us incredible basketball, but they also reminded us how fragile these opportunities can be. The schedule provided dramatic momentum shifts, the key matchups delivered unforgettable moments, and the ultimate outcome felt both surprising and deserved. As someone who's followed the NBA for decades, I can confidently say this was among the most compelling Finals I've witnessed, not just for the basketball quality but for the human stories that unfolded both on and off the court.