LOS ANGELES — Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered two decisive defensive plays in the final seconds Friday night, preserving the Milwaukee Bucks’ 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
With the score tied at 101 and 39.2 seconds on the clock, Antetokounmpo chased down LeBron James and blocked the veteran’s potential go-ahead layup from behind. Moments later, after Kevin Porter Jr. drew a foul that put Milwaukee ahead, Antetokounmpo stripped James on a drive with 1.5 seconds left, clinching the outcome.
“Down the stretch, I just wanted the challenge,” Antetokounmpo said. “You know he’s going to make a play, he’s not going to pass it, and it worked out in my favor.”
The Bucks have won five of seven games since Antetokounmpo returned from injury on Dec. 27 and six of their past nine overall. The two-time MVP finished with 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting while emphasizing defense and playmaking.
Friday marked the Lakers’ first defeat in a game classified as “clutch” this season; they entered the night 13-0 in such contests, the NBA’s best mark. It was also the first regular-season meeting between Antetokounmpo and James since 2022.
Inside the visitors’ locker room afterward, Antetokounmpo displayed a signed purple No. 23 jersey from James. His brother, Thanasis, received a signed jersey from Bronny James. “It might be our last game against one another,” Antetokounmpo said, calling James “a blueprint for every athlete” and praising the four-time MVP’s 23-year run of consistency.
James, reflecting on the matchup, added, “At this point in my career, it’s always great to go against some of the greats.”
Source: ESPN
