NBA Roundup: Antetokounmpo returns but Bucks slide continues; Williams boosts Thunder; Magic clinch group
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Milwaukee, WI — Giannis Antetokounmpo re-entered the lineup Friday and delivered 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in 28 minutes, yet the Milwaukee Bucks dropped a 118-109 decision to the New York Knicks, extending their losing streak to seven — the club’s longest since Antetokounmpo’s rookie season.
Postgame, the two-time MVP urged teammates to “worry only about a winning mentality,” saying personal agendas have crept in while he and Khris Middleton were sidelined. “Maybe you think it’s your opportunity to get more shots, but that’s not how you build culture,” he said. Head coach Doc Rivers cited turnovers, fouls and an offensive rebounding deficit as decisive factors. Antetokounmpo, on a minutes limit, hopes to log more time Saturday against Brooklyn. Milwaukee is 8-12, 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Thunder
Phoenix, AZ — Jalen Williams made his season debut after offseason wrist surgery and supplied 11 points and eight assists in 29 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Phoenix Suns 123-119, securing a place in the NBA In-Season Tournament knockout round. The second-year forward called shaking off six months of rust his biggest hurdle.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points, 15 in the final seven minutes, and has now produced at least 20 points in 92 straight games, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in league history. Oklahoma City improved to 19-1 and has won 11 in a row.
Magic
Detroit, MI — The Orlando Magic clinched their East group with a 110-107 win over the Detroit Pistons. Cade Cunningham intentionally missed a late free throw, grabbed the rebound and found Duncan Robinson for a potential tying three, but the shot rimmed out.
Orlando will host the Miami Heat in the quarterfinals. Miami claimed the group wild-card berth at plus-49 point differential after defeating Milwaukee earlier in the week.
Source: Hoops Wire
