In a game that was nothing short of dramatic, LaMelo Ball led the Charlotte Hornets to a narrow 115-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Ball was the star of the second half, scoring 19 of his team-high 26 points after halftime to push the Hornets past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, who had a shot at the win but came up just short.
The Bucks’ superstar, Antetokounmpo, delivered a spectacular all-around performance, finishing with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists for his first triple-double of the season. However, despite his late-game heroics, it was Ball who stole the show in the final moments, scoring crucial free throws after a foul by Antetokounmpo with just 7.3 seconds remaining.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads in the final minute. With 19 seconds left, the Bucks went ahead by one after Pat Connaughton hit a 3-pointer and then scored on a driving layup. But Ball wasn’t fazed. He took control on the ensuing possession, driving the lane and drawing a foul from Antetokounmpo. Ball coolly sunk both free throws, sealing the game for the Hornets.
Miles Bridges, making his return after a three-game absence, contributed a solid 19 points, and Moussa Diabate had a standout performance off the bench with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Diabate’s effort on the boards was especially notable, as he became the ninth player in franchise history to grab at least 10 offensive rebounds in a game.
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Despite Antetokounmpo’s efforts, the Bucks struggled to get over the hump. Bobby Portis was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 21 points and helping the Bucks build a 90-86 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, it wasn’t enough as the Hornets dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bucks 53-40, despite being without their starting centers, Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
One of the key moments of the game came in the final seconds when the Bucks challenged the foul on Antetokounmpo, arguing that Ball had simply fallen to the ground. However, with no challenges remaining, the call stood, and Ball’s two free throws proved to be the difference.
For the Bucks, the loss stung not only because of the near miss at the buzzer but also due to missed opportunities throughout the game. Despite a solid effort from Portis and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks failed to execute in critical moments.
On the flip side, the Hornets will be looking to build on this victory as they head into a challenging road trip, with a matchup against Cleveland looming on Sunday. The Bucks, meanwhile, will look to bounce back as they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
While there were many memorable moments from this game, the standout story was LaMelo Ball’s clutch performance when it mattered most. With his late-game composure, the Hornets managed to steal a win from the Bucks in a game that could prove to be a turning point for the team as they look to climb the standings.
In addition to the basketball action, the game saw a few notable celebrity attendees, including NASCAR champion Joey Logano and former tennis pro Andy Roddick, who was accompanied by his wife, actress Brooklyn Decker.
Takeaways from the Game:
Bucks: Bobby Portis was a critical spark off the bench, scoring eight points in the third quarter to help the Bucks build a four-point lead heading into the final frame. However, despite his strong play, the Bucks couldn’t close out the game.
Hornets: Moussa Diabate made history with his dominant performance on the glass, becoming the ninth player in Hornets history to record 10 offensive rebounds in a game. His 14 total rebounds were a key factor in the Hornets’ victory.
Key Stat: The Hornets out-rebounded the Bucks 53-40, despite being without starting centers Mark Williams and Nick Richards. This discrepancy in rebounding played a crucial role in the outcome of the game.
Up Next:
The Bucks will look to rebound from this tough loss when they host the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Hornets will travel to Cleveland for a Sunday showdown, looking to build on the momentum from this thrilling win.
In a season full of highs and lows, the Hornets’ ability to execute in crunch time and Ball’s growth into a closer should give Charlotte fans plenty to be excited about as the season progresses.