Nets turn back fourth-quarter rally to beat Bucks

Field Level Media|published: Thu 2nd January, 23:07 2025

Jan 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) in the first halfat Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Cameron Johnson scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 24 as the visiting Brooklyn Nets withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-110 on Thursday.

The Nets led 111-90 with 6:55 remaining before missing their next 12 field-goal attempts. Damian Lillard scored five straight points to cap a 20-0 run and cut the deficit to 111-110 with 37.4 seconds remaining.

After Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a layup with 6.1 seconds left, the Nets' Ziaire Williams sank two foul shots to make it a three-point game.

Lillard missed a 3-point attempt on the Bucks' next possession. Milwaukee had one final chance with 0.6 seconds left, but Lillard's 35-foot shot fell short, and Brooklyn escaped with the victory to snap a three-game losing streak.

Nic Claxton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which won the season series against the Bucks 3-1. Jalen Wilson scored 13 points, and D'Angelo Russell had 11 points and 12 assists.

Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 27 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Lillard contributed 23 points and seven assists, Bobby Portis Jr. added 15 points and eight boards, Khris Middleton scored 12 points, and Gary Trent Jr. chipped in 10 points.

Thomas scored 12 points off the bench in the first quarter to help give the Nets a 30-23 at the end of the period.

Brooklyn maintained control throughout the second quarter and held a 66-54 advantage at halftime. Thomas had 17 points to lead the Nets, while Milwaukee shot 5 of 15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range in the half.

The Nets extended their lead to 24 points and held a 90-68 advantage with 4:35 left in the third quarter before the Bucks pulled within nine after closing the period on a 17-4 run.

Brooklyn briefly regained control by outscoring Milwaukee 17-5 to begin the fourth quarter.

The Nets played without forward Noah Clowney, who sat out with a left hip contusion.

Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. was ejected late in the second quarter after being assessed a flagrant-two penalty for slapping Claxton in the face.

--Field Level Media

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