Charlotte, N.C. – In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, LaMelo Ball showcased his skills by scoring 19 of his 26 points during the second half, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a narrow victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, finishing at 115-114. This win came despite Giannis Antetokounmpo recording his first triple-double of the season for the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo had an opportunity to secure the game for the Bucks with a last-second shot, but his jumper from the foul line bounced off the rim, sealing the Hornets’ victory. Miles Bridges made a notable return after missing three games, contributing 19 points, while Moussa Diabate made a significant impact off the bench with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Bucks, Taurean Price led the scoring with 23 points, while Giannis finished with an impressive stat line of 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, with Bobby Portis adding 21 points to the team total. The Hornets held a four-point lead before Pat Connaughton hit a three-pointer, followed by a drive to the basket that allowed Milwaukee to take a one-point lead with just 19 seconds remaining.

In response, Ball aggressively drove to the basket, drawing a foul on Antetokounmpo, and successfully converting both free throws with only 7.3 seconds on the clock. The game attracted notable attendees, including NASCAR champion Joey Logano, former tennis player Andy Roddick, and actress Brooklyn Decker, who were all present to witness the intense matchup.

Key observations from the game highlighted Bobby Portis’s significant contribution off the bench, where he scored eight points in the third quarter, assisting the Bucks in taking a 90-86 lead heading into the final quarter. Meanwhile, Diabate’s performances marked him as the ninth player in the franchise’s history to achieve at least 10 offensive rebounds in a single game.

The pivotal moment that defined the outcome occurred when Antetokounmpo was called for the foul against Ball in the closing seconds of the game. The Bucks, believing Ball had simply fallen without contact, were unable to challenge the call due to already using their allotted challenges.

Statistically, the Hornets enjoyed a substantial advantage in rebounding, outpacing the Bucks 53-40, despite not having their preferred center duo, Mark Williams and Nick Richards, available for the game.

Looking ahead, the Bucks are set to host the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, while the Hornets will be traveling to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers on Sunday.