Milwaukee, Jan 13, 2024 – The Milwaukee Bucks, powered by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 points, triumphed over a depleted Golden State Warriors squad with a 129-118 victory on Saturday night. The Bucks’ strong fourth-quarter performance was key to their win, as they outscored the Warriors 46-37 in the final period.
The Warriors, playing without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, struggled to keep pace. Curry was rested following a back-to-back road game, and Green is expected to return from suspension in the Warriors’ upcoming games against Memphis or Utah.
Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton also made significant contributions. Lillard scored 27 points, while Middleton added 24, including a crucial 13 in the fourth quarter, and dished out 10 assists. The Bucks were remarkably efficient in the final quarter, shooting 70% from the field.
Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 28 points, and rookie point guard Brandin Podziemski impressed with 23 points and 10 assists. Klay Thompson also added 21 points for Golden State.
Bucks rookie guard Andre Jackson Jr. marked a career milestone by recording his first professional double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. A highlight of the game was Jackson’s block on Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis, which led to a key 3-pointer by Lillard.
The game saw back-and-forth action, but key plays in the final minutes, including a rebound basket by Brook Lopez and an alley-oop from Middleton to Antetokounmpo, secured the Bucks’ victory.
The first quarter was dominated by the Bucks, with a strong 3-point shooting performance. However, the Warriors bounced back in the second quarter, briefly taking the lead before halftime.
Stephen Curry’s absence was felt by the Warriors, with coach Steve Kerr noting Curry’s fatigue after heavy reliance in recent games. Draymond Green, who missed 12 games following a suspension, is working his way back to game fitness.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will face Memphis on Monday, while the Bucks host Sacramento on Sunday, continuing their respective campaigns in a tightly contested NBA season.
