Giannis Antetokounmpo made two decisive defensive plays in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks regrouped late to earn a 105–101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Giannis was clutch on both ends tonight.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 10, 2026
21 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 82% FG pic.twitter.com/wvRjNhj7RJ
Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by LeBron James with 39 seconds remaining, leading to Kevin Porter Jr.’s two go-ahead free throws. Moments later, Antetokounmpo stripped the ball from James from behind with two seconds left, and Porter sealed the game at the line as the Bucks secured their fifth win in seven games — and their first victory over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11.
Porter led Milwaukee with 22 points. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring outing since returning from a right calf strain, but his late-game defense proved decisive.
Luka Dončić scored 24 points and handed out nine assists for the Lakers, though he struggled from the field, shooting 8-for-25. He fouled out with 16.2 seconds remaining after contesting Porter’s 3-point attempt. LeBron James finished with 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Milwaukee’s star came out on top in crunch time. Los Angeles has now lost six of its last 10 games.
Milwaukee built a double-digit lead in the first half despite Antetokounmpo being on a minutes restriction. Dončić scored 12 points in the third quarter but picked up four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.
The Lakers stormed back early in the fourth, opening the quarter with a 17–4 run. James capped it by stealing the ball from Antetokounmpo and scoring on a layup to give Los Angeles the lead with 6:02 remaining. Milwaukee struggled offensively, missing nine of its first 12 shots in the quarter, but Porter’s layup with two minutes left tied the game and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
The Lakers continued to play without starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. Coach JJ Redick said Hachimura, sidelined with a calf injury, could return early next week after missing six games.
Up next:
The Bucks travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Sunday. The Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings on Monday.
