MILWAUKEE — In a thrilling showdown, Giannis Antetokounmpo notched his third consecutive triple-double with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to an improbable 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Overcoming a massive 24-point deficit in the final quarter, the Bucks shocked Minnesota, ending the Timberwolves’ five-game winning streak and extending their own win streak to five games. This remarkable comeback stands as Milwaukee’s biggest fourth-quarter rally since the introduction of play-by-play statistics in the 1996-97 NBA season.
Trailing 95-71 with less than ten minutes remaining, Milwaukee launched a stunning comeback, scoring 23 unanswered points. AJ Green’s three-pointer, with 3:36 left on the clock, tied the game at 97-97. Tempers flared shortly after, as a scuffle involving Milwaukee’s Kevin Porter Jr. and Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert led to technical fouls for both players. The altercation escalated with a technical foul added to Milwaukee’s Gary Trent Jr. for his involvement.
Following a free throw from Anthony Edwards that gave Minnesota a 98-97 edge, the momentum shifted. Bobby Portis stripped the ball from Edwards on the Timberwolves’ next possession, paving the way for a Porter Jr. dunk that gave the Bucks a lead they would not relinquish. This pivotal play ignited an 8-0 run, securing the Bucks’ stunning victory.
Kevin Porter Jr. ended the game with 21 points, while Bobby Portis marked his return from a 25-game suspension by contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds. On the other side, Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 25 points, complemented by Donte DiVincenzo’s 24 points and Naz Reid’s 17 points.
Takeaways from the game highlight the Timberwolves’ missed chance to climb the ranks in the Western Conference. Minnesota, sitting in a four-way tie for fifth place at 46-33, could not capitalize on their position, remaining just half a game behind fourth-place Denver. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo continues to impress. Following his return after a brief absence due to shoulder tendinopathy, he exhibited an extraordinary performance streak, including a 35-point, 20-assist, 17-rebound game against Philadelphia, and a 36-point triple-double in an overtime win at Miami.
The key turning point occurred when Milwaukee was down 95-71, and Gary Trent Jr.’s four-point play helped ignite a 23-0 run. This sequence dramatically thrust Milwaukee back into contention. Statistically, the Bucks outperformed the Timberwolves 39-8 in the closing ten minutes.
Looking to their next matchups, both teams are set to play on Thursday. The Timberwolves will face the Grizzlies in Memphis, while the Bucks are scheduled to host the New Orleans Pelicans.