Damian Lillard returned to action and sealed the Milwaukee Bucks’ 101-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night with a game-winning layup in the final seconds.
The Bucks snapped Houston’s five-game winning streak and improved their record to 5-9.
Lillard, who missed the last three games due to concussion protocol, scored 18 points, including the decisive basket with 3.9 seconds left.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 20 points and 14 rebounds while Brook Lopez dominated with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.
The Bucks overcame a fourth-quarter deficit after trailing by as many as four points late in the game. A.J. Green’s crucial three-pointer with 1:17 left trimmed Houston’s lead to one, setting the stage for Lillard’s heroics.
The Rockets struggled offensively, shooting just 40% from the field and making only nine of 32 attempts from three-point range. Fred VanVleet led Houston with 26 points, while Jalen Green added 21, and Alperen Sengun chipped in 18.
Milwaukee’s defense held firm in critical moments, including Antetokounmpo’s block on Sengun with 20 seconds remaining.
Following Lillard’s layup, Houston failed to capitalize on a final possession, with VanVleet’s inbound pass going awry as the buzzer sounded.
The Rockets struggled to find rhythm, with Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks combining for just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.
Milwaukee has shown resilience after a slow start, winning three of their last four games. The Bucks capitalized on their superior shooting efficiency, converting 45.8% of their field-goal attempts, including 39.4% from beyond the arc.
