A standout performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo guided the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Despite exceeding the 32-minute limit set by coach Doc Rivers to protect his star player from worsening a left calf strain, Antetokounmpo shone in his 32 minutes and 37 seconds on the court, amassing 28 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists. The game unfolded at the Fiserv Forum, where the Bucks emerged victorious with a scoreline of 121-112. Antetokounmpo showcased his prowess not just on the court but also from the sidelines, as the Bucks surged ahead to establish a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.
While Denver managed to narrow the gap to 111-106 with 2:20 left on the clock, Antetokounmpo’s crucial offensive rebound and subsequent free throws extended Milwaukee’s lead to seven points. His jumper following a turnover by the Nuggets further solidified the Bucks’ advantage at 115-106. Antetokounmpo was ably supported by Brook Lopez, who contributed 22 points, as well as Damian Lillard with 19 points and Kyle Kuzma with 16. The Bucks’ recent form has been impressive, winning five of their last six games and eight of their past ten, propelling them to a 33-25 record and maintaining their position as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
In a highly anticipated matchup featuring multiple MVP winners, Nikola Jokić delivered a stellar performance for the Nuggets, recording his 27th triple-double of the season with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. His efficient shooting display, going 13-of-16 from the field, highlighted his impact on the game. Jamal Murray added 20 points to Denver’s tally, with Christian Braun contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their strong efforts, the Nuggets fell short, marking their second loss in three games after a nine-game winning streak. This defeat saw them slip half a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies, landing them in the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.
The game was not without controversy, as Denver’s coach, Michael Malone, expressed frustration over the significant free throw discrepancy, with Milwaukee enjoying a 28-11 advantage in attempts. Malone voiced his concerns post-game, stating, “Obviously, we fouled too much. For there to be a 28-11 differential is just crazy to me. I was trying to talk to the referees all night long about that one because we are a team that attacks.” The disparity in free throws proved to be a sore point for the Nuggets in the final quarter.
Looking ahead, the Bucks will have a brief break before facing the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Meanwhile, Denver will play the second leg of a back-to-back on
