Giannis Antetokounmpo was the star performer as his 44 points not only helped the Bucks get an overtime win over the Nets but his performance on the night also saw him become the Milwaukee Bucks’ all-time leading scorer.
Record Breaker
Antetokounmpo passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14,211 points) with the first 40 of his game-high 44 points in a 120-119 win over the Nets. The record-breaking shot was a stepback 3, off the dribble, over Andre Drummond with 18 seconds left in regulation. He had some trouble from the foul line in the fourth quarter missing four consecutive shots. He eventually connected on two free throws in overtime with three seconds left.
“It’s good because I’m changing the narrative,” Giannis said. “I don’t want to be the guy that dunks and runs. I can make a 3. It doesn’t really matter because at the end of the day if you don’t have a successful season and if you don’t try to keep getting better and staying humble, to stay playing all the way till May and June, nobody’s going to remember this you know.”
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Kevin Durant had one last chance at glory but his turnaround shot from the top of the key bounced off the rim. Moments earlier Durant put the Nets ahead, 119-118, with three foul shots on a controversial play. Milwaukee’s Wes Matthews tried to defend Durant’s corner three but instead crashed into his knee. The Nets bench were visibly irate and demanded a flagrant but had to settle for three attempts at the line.
With the win, the Bucks moved to within a half game of Miami for first place in the East. Jrue Holiday added 19 points for Milwaukee, and Khris Middleton was ejected in the fourth quarter for a flagrant-foul two.
Kevin Durant led the Nets with 26 points and Kyrie Irving added 25.
