The Bucks and Hornets have developed a flair for late-game chaos, and Friday night at Fiserv Forum delivered another thriller. With the lead swinging three times in the final 11 seconds, Giannis Antetokounmpo took control at the finish, soaring for a dramatic alley-oop dunk that sealed a 122-121 win for Milwaukee.
With 8.8 seconds left, Charlotte appeared on the verge of pulling off a road upset. Miles Bridges capped his 25-point night by muscling in a difficult layup and knocking down the free throw, pushing the Hornets ahead 121-120. That sequence left Milwaukee with one final possession to decide the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo designed the play for his game winner 🔥🔥🔥
(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA) pic.twitter.com/Isyf2IZGni
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 3, 2026
During the timeout, Giannis Antetokounmpo designed the play from the sideline. When action resumed, Kevin Porter Jr. grabbed the ball on the baseline and made a quick decision. Milwaukee kept it simple and attacked the rim, trusting Giannis Antetokounmpo to finish the job. Porter floated the pass to the basket, and Antetokounmpo cut through the defense, rose above everyone, and hammered home the alley-oop with 4.7 seconds left, igniting the crowd and swinging the game back in the Bucks’ favor.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s historic night for the Bucks
Jan 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the ball in the first half against Charlotte Hornets forward Tidjane Salaun (31) at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo closed the night with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, leading all players and doing far more than sealing the game. That performance also moved the Greek Freak ahead of Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar for the most games in NBA history with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, turning the win into another landmark moment in his career.
The Hornets still had a chance at the end, but Brandon Miller’s last second drive came up empty at the horn. Kon Knueppel paced the Hornets with 26 points and Miles Bridges chipped in 25, yet Milwaukee’s poise and execution in the closing moments ultimately decided the outcome.
Jan 2, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives and passes the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Bucks improved to 15-20 and now turns its attention to a West Coast road trip, hoping to build on the late-game heroics. Charlotte, meanwhile, must quickly move past the tough loss as it heads to Chicago in search of a bounce-back effort.