LaMelo Ball delivered a clutch performance, scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half, to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a nail-biting 115-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Hornets improved to 5-7 on the season, while the Bucks fell to 4-9.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists but missed a potential game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
The Bucks had taken a one-point lead after Pat Connaughton’s key plays in the final minute, but Ball’s calmness under pressure sealed the win for Charlotte.
Ball drew a foul on Antetokounmpo with 7.3 seconds left and sank both free throws to secure the victory. The Bucks were out of challenges, leaving Antetokounmpo visibly frustrated by the call.
Miles Bridges returned to the lineup after a three-game absence, contributing 19 points and seven rebounds for Charlotte.
Moussa Diabate played a crucial role off the bench, posting 12 points and a franchise record-tying 10 offensive rebounds as part of his 14-board performance.
On Milwaukee’s side, Taurean Prince led the team with 23 points, while Bobby Portis added 21 off the bench. The Bucks bench provided valuable support, but their efforts weren’t enough to counter Charlotte’s dominance on the glass.
The Hornets outrebounded the Bucks 53-40 despite missing key big men Mark Williams and Nick Richards.
Diabate’s tenacity on the offensive boards helped Charlotte create second-chance opportunities that proved pivotal in a tightly contested game.
Charlotte capitalized on Milwaukee’s limited interior defense and dominated second-chance scoring opportunities. The absence of injured Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard was evident, leaving Milwaukee’s offense overly reliant on Antetokounmpo and Portis.
