Giannis Scores Big: Bucks Beat Timberwolves with 33 from Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 112-107 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, contributing 33 points and 13 rebounds, as the NBA resumed after the All-Star break. The Bucks managed to hold off a late surge from the Timberwolves, who narrowed a 17-point gap to just four points, thanks to Anthony Edwards’s three-pointer with less than two minutes on the clock.

Antetokounmpo’s crucial offensive rebounds and successful free throws extended the Bucks’ lead, despite Edwards’s attempts to keep the Timberwolves in contention. A key layup by Jae Crowder and a final shot by Damian Lillard, with only 9.2 seconds remaining, clinched the victory for Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo praised Lillard’s clutch performance, acknowledging his ability to excel in critical moments. Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert also made significant contributions.

However, the Timberwolves struggled in the third quarter, being outscored by the Bucks 36-13, which significantly impacted the game’s outcome. Despite a brief lapse in focus from the Bucks in the fourth quarter, Antetokounmpo highlighted the team’s ability to maintain composure.

In another NBA game, the Miami Heat secured a 106-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in a match marked by a brawl that led to the ejection of four players. Jimmy Butler, returning from a brief absence, was involved in the altercation, which erupted after a play involving Kevin Love and Zion Williamson.

The incident caused a temporary halt in the game, after which the Heat, who had once led by 19 points, managed to pull ahead with an 11-0 run. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Pelicans’ star Williamson both downplayed the scuffle, attributing it to a misunderstanding and competitive spirit.

Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-84 in a game that also saw ejections due to a scuffle. Stephen Curry led the Warriors to victory in a low-scoring affair.

LeBron James made a comeback from an injury to score 30 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-118 win over the San Antonio Spurs, featuring standout rookie Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama achieved a rare “5×5” game, impressing even veteran player James with his performance.