“The Giannis Stopper”: Fans Anoint Trayce Jackson-Davis With New Nickname as Warriors Rout Bucks

The Golden State Warriors bounced back from their blowout loss to the Boston Celtics in stunning fashion. The Warriors entered the game all guns blazing and hammered the Milwaukee Bucks‘ improved defense to take a 20-point lead at halftime. However, the Bucks tried to mount a comeback, closing the gap to just six with 5:33 left in the quarter. This was when rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis entered the fray to turn the game in their favor as the Golden State waltzed off with a 125-90 victory.

In what was a highlight-reel-worthy performance against the Bucks, TJD ended the night with 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked four shots, three of which came against two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The former Indiana Hoosiers All-American was plus-20 in the game in 19 minutes, the second-best plus-minus margin on the team.

However, what sent the sellout crowd at Chase Center and those on the other side of the screen into a frenzy was the beautiful sequence by Trayce Jackson-Davis in the third quarter. Especially when Golden State’s resident defensive pillar Draymond Green found himself unable to contain the Greek Freak.

NBA world reacts to the wild Trayce Jackson-Davis show

It started with Trayce Jackson-Davis denying Antetokounmpo twice in a single possession. After TJD blocked his shot at the rim, the Greek Freak grabbed the loose ball and attempted a reverse layup, only for Jackson-Davis to emphatically swat the ball off the backboard. This wild play earned the rookie center the coveted “The Giannis Stopper” nickname.

However, he wasn’t done yet. To tie it all together, the 24-year-old charged back down on the court and ended the sequence with an empathic alley-oop dunk that left the crowd in awe. One user took to X to share his thoughts on the insane sequence.

Another user is confused about whether this was a basketball game or a dunk contest. To be fair, we all are.

This fan thinks rising star Trayce Jackson-Davis can even rival the all-time great Michael Jordan.

With the Warriors’ squad finally healthy, a roster crunch is imminent. However, one fan believed TJD had earned his minutes with this highlight reel-worthy performance.

One user demanded a raise for both Jackson-Davis and Jonathan Kuminga since both stars proved their worth and stepped up big time when the veterans were either in a slump or serving suspensions.

One fan is finding it hard to grasp why the rookie center was the 57th overall pick in the 2023 draft and why he is still not receiving the recognition he truly deserves within the team.

Jackson-Davis did say he would make teams regret passing on him. It seems like he’s delivering on that promise with each game.

With eight victories in their last 11 games, the Warriors are now just half a game clear of the eight-seeded Dallas Mavericks. As they gear up to face the Chicago Bulls tonight, they’ll be hoping to build on this momentum and continue their climb up the standings.

Read More: Why Is Warriors Rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis a ‘Walking Miracle’? Deep Dive Into Near Career Ending Injuries