MILWAUKEE — In a thrilling encounter, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks with an impressive 28 points, a season-high 19 rebounds, and seven assists as they triumphed over the Denver Nuggets, securing a 121-112 victory on Thursday night.
Antetokounmpo’s stellar performance helped surpass an equally remarkable display from Nikola Jokic, who delivered 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 13 of 16 from the field. Jokic now boasts 27 triple-doubles in the 53 games he has played this season, highlighting his consistent excellence on the court.
This game marked the first meeting of the season between these two formidable multiple-MVP awardees. The teams are set to face each other again when the Bucks travel to Denver on March 26.
Adding to Milwaukee’s win, Brook Lopez contributed 22 points, while Damian Lillard scored 19, Kyle Kuzma 16, and Gary Trent Jr. 15, helping the team secure victory in five of their last six games. On the Denver side, Jamal Murray managed to score 20 points.
Takeaways:
Nuggets: After enjoying a nine-game winning streak, Denver has found themselves stumbling lately, losing two out of their last three matchups. Despite closing a 12-point gap to five points with just two minutes on the clock, they were unable to close the gap.
Bucks: The team is carefully managing Antetokounmpo’s playing time following his recent six-game absence due to a left calf strain before the All-Star break. The Bucks excelled even during moments when Antetokounmpo was off the floor, notably outscoring Denver at the start of the fourth quarter. Key contributions came from A.J. Green, who knocked down crucial 3-pointers in this segment.
Key Moment:
Antetokounmpo nailed his eighth 3-pointer of the season, granting the Bucks a 67-66 lead with a bit over seven minutes left in the third quarter. His subsequent dunk, fed by a steal from Taurean Prince, capped a 12-4 surge, a pivotal juncture that tipped the game decisively in Milwaukee’s favor.
Key Stat:
A significant factor in Milwaukee’s win was their dominance at the foul line, successfully sinking 23 of 28 free throws as compared to Denver, who only attempted 11, making just 9.
Upcoming Games:
The Nuggets will face the Detroit Pistons on Friday, while the Bucks are set to challenge the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
