Damian Lillard delivered a sensational finish in Milwaukee, hitting a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to secure a 143-142 victory for the Milwaukee Bucks over the Sacramento Kings. This dramatic shot marked Lillard’s 2,500th career three-pointer and extended the Bucks’ winning streak over the Kings to 15 games.
In a tightly contested overtime, the Kings were ahead by four points until Brook Lopez’s corner three-pointer brought the Bucks within one. After De’Aaron Fox’s free throw, Lillard, who was supposed to inbound the ball to Giannis Antetokounmpo, ended up receiving it back from Lopez and hitting the stunning long-range shot from around 30 feet. The Fiserv Forum erupted as Lillard’s teammates mobbed him in celebration.
Lillard, in his first season with the Bucks after an 11-year stint with Portland, led the team with 29 points. Antetokounmpo contributed a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Malik Beasley and Bobby Portis added 23 and 22 points, respectively.
The Bucks, now 19-3 at home, faced a resilient Kings team led by Fox’s 32 points and Domantas Sabonis’ triple-double of 21 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds. Milwaukee had built a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Kings fought back to force overtime.
The game also saw Kings coach Mike Brown ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing with the referees, a move that Kings’ players believed rallied the team. Brown later expressed frustration over officiating consistency in his post-game comments.
Despite being questionable with a shoulder contusion, Antetokounmpo played his 29th consecutive game, highlighting his resilience this season. The Bucks were without Khris Middleton, who rested his surgically repaired right knee.
Kevin Heurter, returning from an ankle sprain, finished with 26 points for the Kings, who will next face Phoenix. The Bucks, riding high from this exhilarating win, are set to meet Cleveland in their upcoming fixture.
The game was not just a display of Lillard’s clutch shooting but also a testament to the depth and determination of both teams, with the Bucks showcasing their championship pedigree in a high-pressure situation.
