Bucks Defeat Hornets 147-134 in Overtime Thriller

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 147-134 in an overtime thriller on Friday night in an NBA Cup game. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points, 18 assists, and seven rebounds in his return to the lineup after missing the previous game due to injury.

The matchup marked the second game of a home-and-home series, with both teams having played on Wednesday night in Charlotte. Despite Antetokounmpo sidelined, rookie Kon Knueppel shined for the Hornets, scoring a season-high 32 points in his hometown.

Knueppel’s crucial late-game performance included two tying 3-pointers, one pulling Charlotte even at 125 with 1:34 to go and another tying the score at 129 with just 21 seconds left in regulation. After grabbing an offensive rebound following a missed dunk, Knueppel helped send the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Bucks took control, with Kyle Kuzma scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Kuzma, who was moved into the starting lineup for this game, also contributed to the team’s offensive efforts throughout the match.

The first half saw both teams working hard. Charlotte led at halftime, 69-61, capitalizing on the Bucks’ struggles with defensive rebounding. The Bucks rallied in the third quarter, with strong performances from AJ Green and Myles Turner, as they regained the lead heading into the final period.

Antetokounmpo and Kuzma made significant strides as the clock wound down, with Kuzma’s hook shot putting the Bucks up by three with 27 seconds remaining. However, a missed shot from Antetokounmpo allowed the Hornets’ Knueppel to tie the game just before the buzzer.

The Bucks improved their record to 8-5 overall and are now 2-0 in NBA Cup play, while the Hornets fell to 4-8 and remain winless in the in-season tournament. The teams will next face different opponents; the Hornets are set to host Oklahoma City, while the Bucks will take on their next challenge at home.