On Thursday night, the Milwaukee Bucks achieved a thrilling 116-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, showcasing their resilience after falling behind by 13 points entering the final quarter. The matchup, held at the Fiserv Forum, marked the return of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after missing six games due to a strained calf. Despite being on a minutes restriction, Antetokounmpo made his presence felt, contributing 23 points to help the Bucks rally for the win.
Antetokounmpo played just under 24 minutes, exiting the game with 6:27 left and the Bucks trailing 101-96. Surprisingly, this didn't hinder Milwaukee's comeback, as they went on to outscore the Clippers 36-17 down the stretch, demonstrating their depth and determination. Brook Lopez was instrumental to the victory, scoring 22 points and sealing the win with a pivotal three-point play with 3:02 remaining.
The game highlighted the contrasting trajectories both teams were on, as the Clippers entered the game riding high on a three-game win streak and just 1.5 games out of the playoff picture. The Clippers actually opened the game strong, leading by as many as 13 points during the fourth quarter. But they couldn't withstand the surge from Milwaukee, where even with star players absent, the Bucks found enough firepower.
Kawhi Leonard, who led the Clippers with 25 points, attributed part of the game's turning point to fouls committed on key three-point shots by his team. Post-game, Leonard commented, “Just some fouls on those three-pointers kinda changed the rhythm. Giannis did a great job getting to the paint inthat third quarter just attacking.” Despite the setback, Leonard noted he would be ready for the next challenge against the Indiana Pacers.
James Harden also had a standout performance for the Clippers, contributing 24 points to his career total, which now stands at 27,005, making him the 13th player to reach the 27,000-point milestone. Ivica Zubac was another noteworthy contributor for the Clippers, finishing with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Zubac's commanding presence on the boards was evident as the Clippers out-rebounded the Bucks 43-41.
The loss was particularly disappointing for the Clippers, who saw Norman Powell sidelined with knee soreness, which limited their roster depth. Meanwhile, the Bucks had their own challenges, missing Bobby Portis, who was serving a 25-game suspension for testing positive for Tramadol. Portis maintained he took the painkiller unintentionally, leaving the Bucks with the task of compensatory efforts on the court.
Despite the absence of key players and Antetokounmpo's limited minutes, the Bucks managed to showcase their effectiveness when it matters most. Damian Lillard’s shot accuracy was low initially, but he closed strong with 12 of his 15 points coming in the last six minutes, including clutch free throws to help solidify the win. His contribution underscored Milwaukee's ability to adapt mid-game and leverage their roster depth.
A pivotal moment occurred late in the game when the score was tied at 104-all, and Lopez blocked Kris Dunn's shot. The block sparked momentum for the Bucks, who executed flawlessly on their next possession. Lopez's transition from defense to offense proved decisive, as he not only thwarted the Clippers' attempt to regain composure but also put his team back on top.
The atmosphere at Fiserv Forum was electric, with 17,341 fans witnessing the comeback victory. The Bucks now head to Washington to face former teammate Khris Middleton on Friday, aims to build on this momentum. The Clippers, meanwhile, prepare for their upcoming game against Indiana, hoping to bounce back quickly from this tough loss.
This remarkable win highlights the Milwaukee Bucks' potential as they wrap up their games post All-Star break, demonstrating their championship aspirations and depth. Conversely, the Clippers are left to grapple with the performances needed to maintain their playoff position moving forward.