Nets Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against Injury-Stricken Bucks – What Happened Without Antetokounmpo and Lillard?

The Brooklyn Nets secured a thrilling 111-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, snapping a three-game losing streak at Milwaukee. With standout performances from Cam Johnson, who scored 29 points, and Noah Clowney, who added 20, the Nets rallied late to overcome the Bucks, who played their third consecutive game without their top two scorers, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Nets’ Strong Late Rally

The Nets were down for most of the game, trailing the entire second half. However, with the game on the line in the final minutes, Brooklyn made a late 7-0 run, taking a 99-97 lead. After Khris Middleton tied the game, the Nets responded with a clutch 3-pointer from Clowney. Nic Claxton then extended the lead with a free throw, making it 100-97.

Middleton’s 3-pointer brought the Bucks within one possession, but the Nets weren’t done. Johnson converted a four-point play with 47 seconds left, giving the Nets a 109-102 advantage that sealed the win. The rally marked an impressive display of resilience from a team that had been struggling recently, having lost eight of their last 10 games.

Key Performances for the Nets

In addition to Johnson’s 29 points and Clowney’s 20, Nic Claxton contributed 13 points in the victory. The Nets were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 16 of 38 3-pointers. Their shooting and timely defensive stops in the final minutes were critical to the win.

Brooklyn’s performance marked a much-needed confidence booster, as the team had not won at Milwaukee since February 2022. With this win, the Nets now look to clinch their first season series victory against the Bucks in four years when they meet again on January 2.

Bucks’ Effort Without Antetokounmpo and Lillard

The Bucks, missing their stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, fought hard but ultimately fell short. Khris Middleton led the team with 21 points, while Brook Lopez added 20. Bobby Portis contributed 18, and Gary Trent Jr. chipped in with 14. Despite shooting an impressive 50.7% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range, the Bucks struggled to maintain their lead late in the game.

Lopez, in particular, had a strong first half, scoring 11 consecutive points in the second quarter, but was held to just two points after halftime. Milwaukee’s inability to capitalize on a solid shooting night without their star players proved to be the difference.

Takeaways from the Game

– Nets: Brooklyn broke a three-game losing streak in Milwaukee, where their last win came in February 2022. The victory over the Bucks was a morale boost for the Nets, who look to secure their first season series win against Milwaukee in four years when the two teams meet again on January 2.

– Bucks: Despite missing two of their best players, the Bucks showed resilience, especially from Middleton and Lopez. Lopez extended his streak of scoring double digits to five games, scoring 41 points in his last two outings.

Key Moment

The turning point of the game came in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. After the Nets’ 7-0 run gave them a 99-97 lead, Middleton answered with a clutch 3-pointer to tie the game. However, the Nets responded with a crucial 3-pointer from Clowney and a four-point play from Johnson, effectively sealing the game and securing the 111-105 win.