By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jul 02, 2021 at 11:26 AM

One. More. Win.

Doing their best "Hawks Game 4" impression, the Bucks claimed a 123-112 full-team victory despite their best player being sidelined – in Giannis' case, with a thankfully not-exploded knee. Unlike last game (god, could you imagine a world where they came out as they were supposed to Tuesday night?), the Bucks came out motivated and energized, dominating the entire night – and now the franchise is the closest it's been to the NBA Finals since two decades ago, just 48 victorious minutes away.

But while the Bucks now have two shots at their first Finals in almost a half-century, the first one will take place in Atlanta in front of the sure-to-be riled-up Hawks faithful – complete with the potential return of Trae Young, too. And while the Bucks got a lot of nice performances from role players on Thursday night, you don't typically see that duplicated on the road. 

But we can think about all of that later. For now, let's savor this incredible key victory one more time with these memorable images from the Bucks' memorable win. 

1. MVC: Most Valuable Cheerleader

Giannis in Game 5
PHOTO: Dan Garcia
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Giannis may have been sidelined for Game 5 (and likely beyond) with his hyperextended knee, but he was by no means absent from the key Eastern Conference Finals game. The Greek Freak was on the bench, cheering on his guys as they brought the house down on the Hawks. I doubt we see him on the court for the rest of this series – he may have dodged an ACL injury, but knees don't bend like that and feel normal just days later – but at least we'll see him giving his teammates a spark on the bench, one they'll need heading to hostile Atlanta territory for a massive Game 6.

2. It's the Holiday season

Jrue Holiday's had a rough postseason – still an obvious upgrade over Eric Bledsoe, but perhaps not the everyday gamebreaker some fans had hoped, at least thus far. But he was a key part of the Bucks Game 5 win, coming out with energy and aggression, scoring seven of the team's first 10 points as they blasted out to an early lead. Things would calm down for Holiday eventually, but he'd still put up 25 points, 13 assists and six rebounds on the night – the kind of numbers we'll need to see more of if the Bucks plan to make the Finals sans their two-time MVP. We think he can do it.  

3. Legendary Lopez

At one point in this series, Brook Lopez seemed unplayable. The Bucks center and his rim-protecting drop coverage was getting burned repeatedly by Trae Young floaters, and without his threes dropping on the other end – and without the team utilizing his post game – he was a negative for Milwaukee. 

My, how things change.

With Giannis hurt, the Bucks needed somebody outside of Middleton and Holiday to step up – and Splash Mountain most certainly did, putting in a playoff career high 33 points. And most astounding, none of it was from long distance, his usual domain over the Giannis years to help open up the paint. Instead, Lopez constantly dominated the Hawks down low with a variety of alley oops, dunks, silky post moves and more. He demoralized the Hawks – something I would not be against seeing again in Game 6!

4. The look of love

Find yourself someone who looks at you with the passion that Bobby Portis looks at the rim during this dunk. 

5. Celebs

Chance the Rapper
PHOTO: Twitter/Milwaukee Bucks
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All the stars were in the seats for Game 5 – both the basketball stars and the entertainment celebs. Chance the Rapper once again was in the crowd – but why have one multi-Grammy winner ... 

Bon Iver
PHOTO: Twitter/Milwaukee Bucks
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... when you can have two!? Indeed, Bon Iver was also in attendance – which should've been the ultimate clue that the night would end in calm and soothing vibes.

6. Punished in the paint

Brook Lopez block
PHOTO: Dan Garcia
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Despite their hot start, the Bucks shot a mere 31 percent from long distance, hitting just nine threes on the night. So how'd Milwaukee manage to win – handily, at that? The Bucks did everything they wanted in the paint. People have been begging the Bucks to dominate down low against the Hawks' relatively weak bigs – and in Game 5, that's exactly what they did, letting Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis go to work, and outscoring Atlanta 66-36 in the paint. If Giannis doesn't come back, this is the obvious formula: rake in the points down low and pass out to open shooters. And if Giannis DOES miraculously come back? I see no reason for a different formula at this point.

7. BOBBY! BOBBY! BOBBY!

Lopez may have been the high scorer for the Bucks on Thursday night, but it was Bobby Portis who owned the night. Starting in place of Giannis – unenviable shoes to fill – Portis brought his usual sparkplug energy ... and also 22 points along with eight hard-earned rebounds. Whenever it seemed like the Hawks were climbing back into the game, Bobby was always there to bring them back down and bring the crowd back up. His nickname is BP – not just because it's his initials, but because he's the team's gas, fuel to keep the squad going. And he was exactly that on Thursday night. Now to see if this role player can pull off the same show on rival ground in Game 6 ... 

8. Daaaang, Deer District

All of our wildest hopes and dreams for Deer District when it was announced have come true this postseason, as the fans inside but especially outside created an incredible atmosphere for this crucial game. And now we have a potential Finals-clinching game on deck? And a potential #BucksInSix to boot? ON A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND?! Prediction: You'll never see anything like Deer District on Saturday night ... 

9. Spin doctor

Middleton had one of his signature quietly brilliant Middleton nights, almost racking up a triple double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and this absolutely sinful spin move. 

Looks like Kevin "Red Velvet" Huerter ran into something even sweeter and smoother.

10. Slammin' Shandy

Summer Shandy: a delicious beer ... but maybe not for chugging? Bah, who cares – we're going wild and carefree and crazy after last night's critical win. Bucks in six? BUCKS IN SIX!

11. The new new Milwaukee flag

Great sports image? Or GREATEST sports image?

Bobby Portis
PHOTO: Twitter/Milwaukee Bucks
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But seriously. Put this image on a flag, make it the official flag of the City of Milwaukee and maybe make Bobby Portis mayor too. I want him in Brew City forever. Or, at the very least, for one more series ... 

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.