The Milwaukee Bucks faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night when Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out just before their game against the Miami Heat due to knee swelling. With Khris Middleton also out, star point guard Damian Lillard took charge, putting up an impressive 37 points and 12 assists in 38 minutes. Despite blowing a 22-point lead in the third quarter, the Bucks held on for a 106-103 win, thanks to some clutch three-pointers from Brook Lopez and AJ Green.
Lillard was on fire from the start, scoring 17 points in the first quarter and finishing with 25 by halftime. He stepped up, knowing the team needed him more than ever without Giannis. “I knew I had to be in attack mode,” Lillard said after the game. “Everyone needed to do a little bit more, and I was ready for it.”
This win marked the Bucks’ fifth straight victory and their seventh win in the last eight games, bringing their record to .500 at 9-9. Lillard was pleased with how the team fought through adversity, especially on the road. “We’re winning good games, and we’re doing it in a sustainable way,” he said.
The game came down to the wire. With just 5 seconds left, the Bucks made a mistake, committing a shot clock violation when AJ Green couldn’t get his shot off in time. This gave Miami a chance to win with the ball down by just one point. However, Miami’s Tyler Herro missed a game-winning three-pointer with 3.2 seconds left, and Taurean Prince grabbed the rebound, making two free throws to seal the win.
Coach Doc Rivers admitted he could’ve managed the final play better, but was proud of his team’s effort. “We just needed one more second to make that shot,” Rivers said. “But AJ was ready, and that’s what matters.”
Brook Lopez, who added 13 points, praised AJ Green for his big moment. “It really opens things up for us,” Lopez said. “He’s been so impressive all season.”
The Bucks’ injury issues also made an impact. Giannis was out due to knee swelling, which is a new issue for him. He was originally listed with a calf strain, but this new injury kept him from playing. While Coach Rivers wasn’t too concerned, the team is hoping Giannis will recover soon.
Khris Middleton, who’s been recovering from ankle surgery, showed some progress by participating in his first full-team practice, but he’s not quite ready to play yet.
As for the Heat, Jimmy Butler led the way with 23 points, and Bam Adebayo added 16. Despite their strong efforts, they couldn’t overcome the Bucks’ late-game execution.
In the end, the Bucks’ resilience paid off, with Lillard leading the charge. “It’s not something we’re celebrating, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction,” Lillard said. The win showed that even without their stars, the Bucks can still compete and win.
Next up for the Bucks, they’ll look to keep this momentum going, with a tough schedule ahead. But for now, they’re focused on playing strong and proving they can win together.