Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets attempts to pass Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cameron Johnson scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 24 as the visiting Brooklyn Nets held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-110 in NBA action on Thursday.
The Nets led 111-90 with 6:55 left 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.
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After Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a layup with 6.1 seconds remaining, the Nets’ Ziaire Williams made two foul shots to make it a three-point game.
Lillard missed a 3-point attempt on the Bucks’ next possession. Milwaukee had one last chance with 0.6 seconds remaining, but Lillard’s 35-foot shot missed and Brooklyn escaped with the victory to end a three-game losing streak.
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Nic Claxton had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, who 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 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 12 points and Gary Trent Jr. scored 10 points.
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Thomas scored 12 points off the bench in the first quarter to help give the Nets a 30-23 lead at the end of the period.
Brooklyn remained in 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%) 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, outscoring Milwaukee 17-5 to start the fourth quarter.
The Nets played without forward Noah Clowney, who was out with a bruised left hip.
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Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. was ejected late in the second quarter after being assessed a flagrant penalty two for slapping Claxton in the face. –Field level media
