Giannis and Bucks Dominate Short-Handed Lakers in 118-89 Victory
Giannis Antetokounmpo had an impressive performance, scoring 28 points and grabbing seven rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 118-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Despite missing star player Damian Lillard, who was sidelined with a calf injury, the Bucks showed their depth, with Gary Trent Jr. contributing 23 points, including six 3-pointers, off the bench. This victory snapped Milwaukee’s two-game losing streak and handed the Lakers their first loss after a three-game win streak.
The Lakers, already missing key players, were without LeBron James (groin), Luka Dončić (ankle), and Austin Reaves (ankle), leaving them shorthanded. Despite the absences, rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James stepped up, with both scoring 17 points each. Bronny James had an efficient game, shooting 7-for-10 from the field and also tied for the team lead with five assists, marking a career-high for the young player.
The Bucks took control from the start, never trailing in the game. They went on a dominant 16-0 run early in the first quarter to build a significant lead. By halftime, Milwaukee led 57-46, with Trent leading all scorers in the first half with 14 points. Antetokounmpo had 13 points at the break, and Bronny James led the Lakers with eight points.
Milwaukee increased their advantage in the third quarter, particularly from the free-throw line where they made 13 out of 15 attempts. Meanwhile, the Lakers struggled with just four successful free throws from five attempts in the same period. Giannis added 15 points in the third to extend the Bucks’ lead.
The Bucks started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run, pushing their lead to 97-69, capped by a dunk from Kyle Kuzma. The Lakers were unable to mount a comeback, and the Bucks secured the victory, limiting Los Angeles to one of their lowest point totals of the season.
With this win, the Bucks completed a season sweep of the Lakers, having now won both matchups for the first time since the 2021-22 season. The victory highlighted Milwaukee’s ability to dominate even without some of their key contributors, while the Lakers struggled in the absence of their star players.
