There was no shortage of drama at Crypto.com Arena on January 9, 2026, as the Milwaukee Bucks stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 105-101 in a game that had everything: superstar showdowns, clutch defense, and a finish that left fans on the edge of their seats. This wasn’t just another regular-season contest—it was a clash featuring MVP candidates, last-minute heroics, and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of the NBA as both teams navigated key injuries.
Entering the night, the Lakers were favored by 3.5 points, with many expecting their strong home record and the offensive wizardry of Luka Dončić to carry them. But the Bucks, despite a 16-20 record and a depleted roster, had other ideas. They were riding a modest streak of three straight road wins and came into Los Angeles determined to extend that run. The Lakers, sitting at 23-12, were missing several regulars—Austin Reaves (left calf), Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain), and Rui Hachimura (right calf strain) were all out. LeBron James, managing foot arthritis and right sciatica, was upgraded from questionable to probable and suited up, giving the home crowd hope for another signature performance.
On the Bucks’ side, the injury list was shorter but no less significant. Taurean Prince remained sidelined after neck surgery, Alex Antetokounmpo was on G League assignment, and Pete Nance was out on a two-way deal. That meant more minutes and heavier responsibility for the likes of Kevin Porter Jr., who has quietly become a pivotal piece for Milwaukee since arriving at last season’s trade deadline.
The game’s opening minutes set the tone for a physical, high-stakes battle. Giannis Antetokounmpo, still on a minute restriction following a soleus strain in his right calf, wasted no time asserting himself, finishing with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, six rebounds, and four assists. Porter Jr. was equally impressive, pouring in 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, dishing out six assists, and playing a staggering 40 minutes despite suffering a right hip bruise late in the first half. After subbing out with 26.1 seconds left before halftime, Porter returned after the break with a wrap on his lower back, determined to gut it out for his team.
Porter’s resilience paid off in spades. Defensively, he drew the toughest assignment—guarding Luka Dončić, the NBA’s leading scorer at 33.7 points per game. Porter’s discipline and focus flustered Dončić into a 3-of-12 first half, and while the Lakers star caught fire in the third quarter (scoring 12 of his 24 points), much of that came while Porter was briefly on the bench. Offensively, Porter kept Milwaukee’s attack steady, refusing to force contested shots and instead resetting the offense when needed. "I feel like offensively we are getting on the same page more and pursuing an advantage offensively and doing that together," Bucks guard AJ Green said after practice earlier in the week. "That’s our spacing, our pace, our multiple actions. Defensively I think we’re playing harder and trusting each other more. And we gotta keep doing that effort together."
As the game wore on, the Lakers mounted a furious comeback. Down by 11 in the final quarter, Los Angeles leaned heavily on its stars. Dončić and James combined for a late surge, with James scoring 13 of his 26 points in the fourth and Dončić orchestrating the offense with trademark flair. The crowd roared as the Lakers grabbed a late lead, but the Bucks refused to fold.
The final minute was pure chaos. With the score tied at 101, Kevin Porter Jr. stepped back on Dončić and drew a foul on a three-point attempt, sending Dončić to the bench with his sixth foul. Porter calmly knocked down the go-ahead free throws with 16.2 seconds left. On the next possession, Giannis delivered two defensive gems: first, a chase-down block on a LeBron dunk attempt, aided by Myles Turner’s rim protection; then, a deft poke away from a driving James that led to the loose ball falling into Porter’s hands. The Bucks’ guard added two more free throws to ice the game, and Milwaukee’s bench erupted.
"I just think we work on spacing. He’s so hard to guard if there’s room, there’s space. I think he’s more patient. It’s funny, he’s been more of a playmaker than ever," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said about Giannis. "When we first got here (in 2023) we talked to him about it, like the more playmaking that you do the more scoring you’re gonna do. That doesn’t sound like it makes sense, but it does. And that’s happened for him." Rivers also emphasized the team’s three-point philosophy: "We’re the best 3-point shooting team in the league (and franchise) history. But we can’t generate enough of ‘em, in my opinion, because of the way we shoot it. If we didn’t shoot the way we shot the ball I wouldn’t be saying that."
The Bucks’ victory improved their record to 17-21, while the Lakers dropped to 24-13. Milwaukee’s new starting lineup—Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Giannis, and Myles Turner—has quietly been effective, now boasting a 7-3 record together. The chemistry is building, and the Bucks’ defensive effort, particularly in crunch time, was impossible to ignore.
Even the broadcast made history, as this was the first NBA game available as an Apple Immersive experience for Apple Vision Pro users. Bucks fans in Wisconsin and Lakers fans nationwide could catch the action in a whole new way, highlighting the league’s push for innovation in fan engagement. For those tuning in the old-fashioned way, the game was available on TNT, Spectrum SportsNet, FDS Wisconsin, and streaming platforms like NBA League Pass and Max.
For the Lakers, the loss stings, but there were positives to take away. LeBron’s late-game burst and Dončić’s third-quarter heroics showed that, when healthy, this team can compete with anyone. The Lakers’ depth will be tested as they await the return of key rotation players, but their stars continue to deliver.
As for Milwaukee, this win could be a turning point. With Giannis anchoring both ends, Porter Jr. emerging as a reliable two-way force, and Doc Rivers’ system taking shape, the Bucks are starting to look like a team no one wants to see down the stretch. They’ll finish their West Coast road trip in Denver, riding high after a gutsy, memorable win in Los Angeles.
