In a heart-stopping finish on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a moment of pure brilliance for the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak soared for a game-winning dunk with just 4.7 seconds remaining on the clock, snatching a 122-121 victory from the jaws of the Charlotte Hornets.
A Historic Night for the Greek Freak
The dramatic basket capped off a historic personal achievement for the all-around forward. Antetokounmpo finished the night with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. This stat line marked his 158th career game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, moving him past NBA legends Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who each had 157 such games.
"It’s an incredible accomplishment," Antetokounmpo said after the game. He emphasized his desire for continuous growth, stating, "I don’t want to come here and just do my job and go back home. I just want to keep on evolving, keep on learning."
A Frantic Final Minute Seals the Win
The Bucks' win did not come easy, as they faced a 16-point deficit on their home floor. Antetokounmpo willed his team back, scoring 12 of his 30 points in the final quarter. The last minute was pure chaos, featuring five lead changes in the final 45.7 seconds.
The drama peaked in the last 10.5 seconds. After a Charlotte timeout, Miles Bridges completed a three-point play with 8.8 seconds left, putting the Hornets ahead 121-120. Milwaukee called their own timeout, setting the stage for the final play.
Kevin Porter Jr. inbounded the ball to Antetokounmpo, who quickly passed it back. As Antetokounmpo cut toward the basket, Porter lofted a perfect alley-oop pass that the two-time MVP hammered home for the decisive score.
Notable Performances and Other NBA Action
For the Hornets, rookie sensation Kon Knueppel led all scorers with 26 points. Miles Bridges contributed 25 points, and Brandon Miller added 19 in the narrow loss.
In other NBA action, the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder dominated, cruising to a 131-94 victory over a shorthanded Golden State Warriors. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, while Chet Holmgren posted a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Thunder improved their league-best record to 30-5, becoming the first team to reach 30 wins this season.
