In a heart-stopping finish, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a game-winning dunk with just 4.7 seconds remaining to propel the Milwaukee Bucks to a narrow 122-121 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The thrilling NBA regular-season clash took place in Milwaukee on Saturday, January 3, 2026 (Philippine Time).
A Record-Breaking Performance
The Greek Freak was dominant throughout the contest, finishing with a stat line of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. This performance marked his 158th career game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, officially moving him past the legendary duo of Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who each had 157 such games. This milestone further cements Antetokounmpo's place among the NBA's all-time greats.
The Dramatic Final Sequence
The game's climax was a rollercoaster of emotions in the final seconds. With the Bucks trailing, Kyle Kuzma sank a crucial three-pointer to put Milwaukee ahead 120-118 with only 10.3 seconds left on the clock. After a Charlotte timeout, the Hornets executed their play, finding Miles Bridges for a layup while drawing Kuzma's sixth foul. Bridges completed the three-point play, giving the Hornets a slim 121-120 lead with 8.8 seconds remaining.
Milwaukee immediately called a timeout to advance the ball. On the ensuing inbound, Kevin Porter Jr. passed the ball to Antetokounmpo near the perimeter. Giannis quickly gave it back to Porter, then cut decisively toward the basket. Porter lofted a perfect alley-oop pass, which Antetokounmpo caught and slammed home for the decisive score, leaving the Hornets with no time to respond.
Key Contributors in the Win
While Antetokounmpo's heroics sealed the win, he received vital support from his teammates. Ryan Rollins provided a significant scoring punch with 29 points and added 8 assists, helping to keep the Bucks offense fluid. Veteran forward Bobby Portis also made a key contribution off the bench, chipping in 20 points to help Milwaukee maintain its position as one of the league's top teams.
The victory was a testament to the Bucks' resilience and execution under pressure, characteristics of a championship-caliber squad. For the Hornets, it was a devastatingly close loss despite a valiant effort, highlighted by Bridges' clutch three-point play that nearly secured the upset on the road.
