MILWAUKEE — In a jaw-dropping finish, Damian Lillard’s 3-pointer at the buzzer propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a breathtaking 143-142 victory over the Sacramento Kings in overtime. The Kings, leading by four late in the extra period, were stunned as Brook Lopez’s clutch 3-pointer narrowed the gap. De’Aaron Fox made one of two free throws, setting the stage for Lillard’s heroics. Inbounding to Lopez and receiving a return pass, Lillard dribbled across half court, sinking a shot from about 30 feet. The Fiserv Forum erupted in cheers as the Bucks extended their winning streak over the Kings to 15 games.
Lillard, in his first year with the Bucks after a decade with Portland, expressed surprise at the play’s development, highlighting the teamwork that led to the game-winner. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s double-team created space for Lopez, and Lillard seized the opportunity. The victory marked the 2,500th 3-pointer of Lillard’s illustrious career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, contributing to the Bucks’ 19-3 home record. Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis also made significant scoring contributions, showcasing the team’s depth.
Despite an early fourth-quarter lead for Milwaukee, Sacramento fought back, forcing the game into overtime. Kings coach Mike Brown’s ejection in the fourth quarter added drama to the contest, rallying his team. Brown expressed frustration with officiating inconsistency, using a post-game laptop presentation to highlight calls and free-throw disparities.
The Bucks, resilient in the face of challenges, celebrated what coach Adrian Griffin described as one of their “best wins of the season.” Lillard emphasized the importance of not letting such quality victories slip away.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo questionable due to a right shoulder contusion, his presence on the court for the 29th consecutive game was vital. However, Khris Middleton rested, and the Bucks played their third game in four days.
The Kings, led by De’Aaron Fox’s 32 points and Domantas Sabonis’ triple-double (21 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds), showcased their competitive spirit. Kevin Heurter returned to the lineup with an impressive 26-point performance.
The Bucks will face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, while the Kings will take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
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