After a great regular season of basketball, the focus turned to the BIG3 Playoffs. It all tipped off with two great semifinal matchups between Bivouac and Tri-State, and Enemies vs 3’s Company. We saw a lot of chippiness and physicality between the two games, showing what the BIG3 is all about. In game one, Bivouac beat Tri-State 50-40 while 3’s Company defeated the Enemies 50-47 in game two in what was the best game of the season so far. Season seven will close out its campaign with the BIG3 Championship next Sunday when the one-seeded Bivouac takes on the two-seeded 3’s Company.
BIG3 Playoff Semifinals: Top Performances
Michael Beasley (3’s Company)
Semifinal stats: 32 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
There was no better time for Michael Beasley to put up his third 30-point performance of 2024. Not only did he put up 32 points but also grabbed 16 rebounds for a double-double while also adding in a block and a steal on the defensive end. Beasley made the biggest three of his career as he hit a deep bomb to send 3’s Company to the BIG3 Championship. He rose to the occasion plenty of times this season and saved his best game for the semifinal. Next week will be his biggest challenge yet, as one MVP candidate goes against another when he takes on Corey Brewer.
Corey Brewer (Bivouac)
Semifinal stats: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Corey Brewer continues to show why he’s the best two-way player in the league. In Bivouac’s win over Tri-State, he scored 19 points and pulled down six boards with two assists and two steals. His defensive efforts also led directly to baskets for his team. Brewer showed you once again his elite game on both ends of the floor, proving why he should not only win MVP but also take home the Defensive Player of the Year award. He even pointed it out post-game, saying he’s near or at the top of the league in a lot of statistical categories. Brewer is a walking highlight in 2024 and now he’ll get ready to showcase his skill in the BIG3 Championship Game.
Jordan Crawford (Enemies)
Semifinal stats: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
While not quite the performance like in last year’s semifinal game, Jordan Crawford did everything possible to make sure the Enemies made it back to the big game. While he and his team ultimately fell short, he scored the third-most points of anyone in the two playoff games. Crawford put up 17 points while adding five rebounds, four assists, and a steal to stuff the stat sheet. Even in the tough loss, he raised his level of play, which we’re accustomed to seeing in big games from him.
Kevin Murphy (Tri-State)
Semifinal stats: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Tri-State might’ve scored 40 points but they didn’t play their best game. They missed shot after shot and were dominated in the paint, sloppy at times but Kevin Murphy gave it his all. He’ll admit that he didn’t play his best game either. At the half, he only scored six points but once the second half hit, he got going a little. Murphy scored 10 points out of the half and was all over the court adding in a steal and a block as well. Even when Tri-State looked down and out, Murphy still showed fight. His never-quit attitude is why he averaged just over 20 points per game and is an MVP candidate.
Garlon Green (Bivouac)
Semifinal stats: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
To go along with Brewer’s excellent play for Bivouac was Garlon Green‘s impressive game. He was a couple of rebounds away from a double-double as he had 13 assists and eight rebounds while throwing in six assists and a steal. Green led the league in rebounds with 9.6 per game and that part of his game was on display again, including on the game-winning play when he grabbed the offensive rebound and put it right back for the bucket to send Bivouac to the BIG3 Championship. Brewer and Green have quietly become one of the best duos in the league and that’s why they were 7-1 and are one win away from winning it all.
Honorable Mentions:
Elijah Stewart (Enemies): 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Henry Sims (Tri-State): 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Isaiah Austin (Enemies): 9 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
