Giannis Antetokounmpo's Late Dunk Lifts Bucks Past Hornets In Dramatic Finish

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The NBA delivered three tight contests on 3 January, highlighted by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s late dunk, a Los Angeles Lakers comeback led by Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and a steady San Antonio Spurs win without Victor Wembanyama as the Indiana Pacers’ slide continued.

Milwaukee edged the Charlotte Hornets 122-121, the Lakers overcame the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 128-121, and the Spurs beat Indiana 123-113. Each game featured star performances, big fourth-quarter stretches and key absences that shaped the night’s results across the league.

The Bucks’ win over Charlotte turned in the final seconds. Milwaukee trailed 121-120 when Kevin Porter Jr. triggered the decisive inbounds play. Antetokounmpo passed the ball back to Porter, then cut hard to the basket, where Antetokounmpo finished a lob dunk with 4.7 seconds left.

That basket sealed a 30-point, 10-rebound, five-assist performance for Antetokounmpo. It also marked Antetokounmpo’s NBA-leading 158th game with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, moving Antetokounmpo past Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who each reached that mark 157 times.

The closing sequence featured three lead changes within 10.5 seconds. Kyle Kuzma hit a 3-pointer for Milwaukee with 10.3 seconds remaining, putting the Bucks ahead 120-118. After a Charlotte timeout, Sion James found Miles Bridges cutting to the rim. Bridges scored, drew Kuzma’s sixth foul, and converted the free throw for a 3-point play and a 121-120 Hornets lead.

Milwaukee used another timeout to set up the winning NBA play. Porter inbounded to Antetokounmpo, immediately got the ball back, then threw the lob that Antetokounmpo hammered home. The Hornets could not answer on their final possession, giving the Bucks a one-point victory in a dramatic finish.

Luka Doncic and LeBron James powered the Lakers during their NBA matchup with Memphis. Doncic scored 34 points, with half coming from free throws, while also recording eight assists and six rebounds. James added 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists as Los Angeles opened a two-game home set.

The decisive stretch came late, when the Lakers produced a 12-2 run that settled the NBA contest. Doncic scored four points in that spell and set up two 3-pointers. James then capped the surge with a basket that placed the game beyond Memphis’ reach. The sides meet again on 4 January in Los Angeles.

Memphis played without six NBA players, including Zach Edey, yet still kept the score close for long periods. The Grizzlies finished with six players in double figures, spreading the scoring load. However, that balance could not match the combined output and control shown by Doncic and James in the deciding quarter.

NBA: Spurs handle Pacers as Wembanyama sits

San Antonio’s 123-113 NBA victory over Indiana came with Victor Wembanyama unavailable because of a left knee issue. Wembanyama hyperextended the knee during a home win against New York on Wednesday. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, and Wembanyama stayed in San Antonio to continue rehabilitation.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson described Wembanyama’s status as day-to-day and did not dismiss a return against Portland on Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs improved to 10-3 in games when Wembanyama does not play, showing depth around the star rookie in this stretch.

DeAaron Fox led San Antonio with 24 points, while Dylan Harper contributed 22 and Stephon Castle added 19. For Indiana, Pascal Siakam posted 23 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard scored 19, and Micah Potter totalled 16 in Potter’s first NBA start in five games with the Pacers.

Across the NBA schedule, the night showcased late-game execution from Milwaukee, star-driven control by the Lakers and collective resilience from a Spurs side missing Wembanyama. Charlotte’s near upset, Memphis’ depleted effort and Indiana’s 11th straight loss added further context to a busy evening of league action.