Julian Strawther poured in a season-high 20 points as the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets built a 23-point cushion and then survived a late scare to edge the slumping Milwaukee Bucks 102–100 on Friday night.
Denver appeared in control for much of the evening, but Milwaukee stormed back from an 86–63 deficit with 10½ minutes remaining. Ryan Rollins capped the rally with a 3-pointer that cut the lead to 99–97 with 29.3 seconds left. Tim Hardaway Jr. answered at the free-throw line, sinking two with 10.6 seconds remaining to push the Nuggets ahead 101–97.
Rollins wasn’t finished, drilling another 3 to make it a one-point game with 5.4 seconds to play. Jalen Pickett was fouled moments later and split a pair at the line, leaving the Bucks one final chance. Kyle Kuzma grabbed the rebound, crossed midcourt and launched a desperation heave that hit the front rim as time expired.
Rollins scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for Milwaukee, which dropped its fifth game in six outings. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists before exiting with 34 seconds left after injuring his right calf. He had his lower right leg wrapped in the first half and never looked fully comfortable. Antetokounmpo previously missed eight games earlier this season with a similar injury.
Denver was also hit by injury, losing Aaron Gordon to a strained right hamstring after he scored 13 first-half points. Gordon had missed 19 games earlier this season with a similar issue.
Despite the absences, the Nuggets leaned on balanced production. Hardaway finished with 17 points and Bruce Brown added 15. Denver played without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who hasn’t appeared since Dec. 29 while dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, along with Jamal Murray (hamstring and hip inflammation), Peyton Watson (ankle injuries) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf strain).
Milwaukee was without Kevin Porter Jr. for a second straight game because of an oblique strain, and AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. also missed the contest due to illness.
Up next:
The Nuggets visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The Bucks return home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
