The Milwaukee Bucks showed their depth and resilience as they rallied past the Los Angeles Clippers 113-106 on Monday night, despite missing their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Damian Lillard had a stellar performance with 41 points, leading the Bucks to their sixth consecutive victory since the All-Star break.
Antetokounmpo sidelined with Achilles tendinitis
The Bucks had to face the Clippers without their two-time MVP, who was ruled out before the game with left Achilles tendinitis. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said that the injury had been “on and off for the last two or three games” and that they wanted to be cautious with their franchise player.
Antetokounmpo has been dominant this season, averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He also became the franchise’s all-time leader in wins with 489 in their previous game against the Chicago Bulls, where he scored 46 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
Clippers take early lead, but Bucks fight back
The Clippers, who were coming off a narrow win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, started the game strong and took a 35-25 lead after the first quarter. Paul George and James Harden scored 29 points each, while Kawhi Leonard added 16 points for the visitors.
The Clippers maintained their advantage for most of the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the final minute of the third quarter. However, the Bucks did not give up and started a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to three points at the end of the period.
Lillard and Portis shine in the fourth quarter
The Bucks continued their momentum in the fourth quarter, as Lillard and Bobby Portis took over the game. Lillard scored 15 of his 41 points in the final period, while Portis had 14 of his 28 points and a season-high 16 rebounds.
The Bucks tied the game at 96 on a 3-pointer by Patrick Beverley, who also had a key steal on Harden on the next possession. Lillard then gave the Bucks their first lead since the opening period with a driving layup, and A.J. Green followed with a deep 3-pointer to make it 101-96.
Portis scored the last four points of the 12-0 surge that put the Bucks ahead for good. The Clippers got the lead down to five with 1:31 left, but Portis scored five more points to seal the win for the Bucks.
Bucks extend winning streak, Clippers fall to fourth
The Bucks improved to 40-21 with the win, holding the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They are unbeaten since the All-Star break and have shown their ability to win without Antetokounmpo. They will begin a four-game trip to California on Wednesday, facing the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers again on Sunday.
The Clippers dropped to 39-20 with the loss, falling to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. They have lost four of their last six games and have struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter. They will try to bounce back on Wednesday, when they host the Boston Celtics.
