Against the Hornets, Giannis took the victory in the street!

The Bucks pulled off an almost unexpected victory against the Hornets in Milwaukee, thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s decisive dunk with 4 seconds left. An amazing match, marked by constant progress and totally insane timing with three lead changes in the last ten seconds.

Charlotte starts on the floor with a layup by Miles Bridges. Milwaukee quickly relies on Giannis in the paint, the author of 6 points in five minutes. But the Bridges-Brandon Miller duo got hurt, and the Hornets picked up the pace at the end of the quarter behind Kon Knuepel and Tidjane Salaun. Charlotte ends the quarter with a 21-7 lead and is well ahead (38-24).

The Hornets controlled the deficit, flirting with +15 for a good part of the quarter. But Giannis and Ryan Rollins hit a series of free throws and layups, starting a 12-4 run. Highlight: Rollins’ alley-oop to Kyle Kuzma, forcing Charles Lee to call a timeout. Charlotte still kept the advantage at the break (60-51), despite the momentum of the Bucks.

Returning from the locker room, Milwaukee continues its momentum. Giannis, Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. they bring the Bucks back to one possession. On a 3-pointer from the corner, AJ Green ties the game and Kuzma gives the Bucks the lead for the first time since the first quarter. But Charlotte resists, and baskets by Miller and Zion James allow the Hornets to take the lead before the final act (91-85).

The last ten suffocating seconds

Charlotte seems to be starting with the winning shots of Bridges, Knuepel and Colin Sexton. But Bobby Portis, until then discreet, comes out of his box and starts the Fiserv Forum to get back to 102-102. In the last three minutes, the tension is at its maximum. Kuzma makes a huge 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds left to give the Bucks +2 (120-118). Instant response: Bridges attacks the circle, scores and gets fouled by Kuzma (6), before making the free throw (121-120).

Milwaukee timeout. On the layup, Porter Jr. plays a pick-and-roll with Giannis, who returns the ball to him before diving for the rim: an easy layup and 122-121 for the Bucks with 4 seconds to play. Charlotte has one last chance. LaMelo Ball throws it back for Miller, whose contested layup misses the mark. The Bucks start 2026 with a one-point win. A near miracle before leaving for a four-game trip to the West.

The perfect game to win! https://t.co/suV8UkiCUo pic.twitter.com/jkV9Obmlnu

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 3, 2026

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Giannis in Bucks history. For stat fans, Giannis Antetokounmpo signs his 158th career game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. This is one more unit than Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Bucks history.

Rollins is evolving. In a tough final matchup, Ryan Rollins had an outstanding performance on 11-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range. LaMelo Ball once again showed his limits on defense…

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.