The Milwaukee Bucks snapped their three-game losing streak with a decisive 126-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, March 13, 2025, at Fiserv Forum. The win was propelled by standout performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, and Luka Dontic, who led the Lakers with 45 points but fell short as his team suffered its third consecutive defeat.
The stakes were high for both teams, with the Lakers struggling on the road and the Bucks eager to break out of their slump. The loss left Los Angeles with a record of 40-24 for the season, as they now face the Denver Nuggets the following night, continuing their grueling schedule of games.
Despite the scoreline, the game began somewhat evenly. By the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were behind only 33-29, thanks to Dontic's early scoring flair. He managed to put up 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting, highlighting his penchant for three-pointers with 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc.
But as the game progressed, the Lakers' shooting faded. After struggling to maintain their rhythm, Los Angeles fell behind 50-38 early in the second quarter. Dontic responded with 10 consecutive points, bringing the Lakers within two before the Bucks re-established control, leading 71-63 at halftime after Gary Trent Jr. delivered a late three-pointer.
The Buck's dominance continued after the break, undermining the Lakers' defensive efforts and extending their lead to double digits. At the midway point of the third quarter, Milwaukee was firmly in charge, leading 92-74. The differential was partly due to the Bucks hitting 11-of-23 three-point shots compared to the Lakers' 7-of-20. Overall, Milwaukee's .500 shooting from distance and superior ball movement translated to 12 more assists and 29 more bench points than Los Angeles.
Entering the fourth quarter down 102-82, the Lakers appeared resigned to their fate. Despite Dontic's outstanding performance of 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting overall, which is his record high as a Laker, they could not bridge the gap. His output included seven three-pointers, making him only the third player in Lakers history to achieve such statistics, joining legends Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as the only Lakers to score 45 or more points with seven three-pointers.
While Dontic shined, the rest of the Lakers struggled; Austin Reaves was the only other player to score double digits, finishing with 13 points. The team's collective shooting effort plummeted to 41.7% for the game, which proved insufficient for overcoming Milwaukee's attacking prowess.
The Lakers' commitment to secure the ball also faltered, as they racked up 11 turnovers, providing opportunities for the Bucks who capitalized and scored 16 points off those mistakes. With so many contributing factors hindering their game, head coach Darvin Ham will have to address these issues quickly before facing the Denver Nuggets.
Looking toward the future, both teams will be preparing for their next matchups. The Bucks will carry the momentum from this victory as they enjoy their victory, whereas the Lakers will attempt to regroup before their clash against the Nuggets.
TV coverage has been offered through platforms like TNT and Spectrum SportsNet, ensuring owners of these subscriptions can keep up to date with the remaining games this season. To get insights on the teams' performance, fans have turned to predictive analytics, with Stats Insider giving the Bucks a 68% chance of defeating the Lakers next time.
Overall, this match was not just about win-loss statistics but about individual performances and team dynamics, reflecting the complexity of basketball as both teams prepare for the challenges of the upcoming games.
This recently concluded matchup serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the NBA season and the resilience required to succeed, especially as playoffs loom closer on the horizon.