Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has proven to be pretty clutch over the course of his career, but he isn’t perfect, and with the game on the line on Friday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo got the best of him.
In the closing seconds of the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee held a slim 103-101 lead over L.A., but the Lakers had the ball. Lakers star guard Luka Doncic had just fouled out of the game, so the ball was obviously going to be in James’ hands.
Here’s what happened: James had the ball at the top of the key with Antetokounmpo guarding him. James received a brush screen from Jake LaRavia, which gave James a step on Antetokounmpo.
But, as James went to turn the corner on Antetokounmpo, the Bucks forward used his length to reach around and poke the ball free from James. The Bucks were then able to secure the loose ball to effectively end the game.
You can see the play transpire below:
Giannis pokes it away from LBJ! pic.twitter.com/BRo0YwWNbb
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 10, 2026
This story will be updated.