HOOPS

‘Phenomenal’ Lillard powers Milwaukee

Agence France-Presse · Mar 22, 2024, 10:00 PM

DAMIAN Lillard delivers a ‘phenomenal’ performance to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a 115-108 win over the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA regular season. | GARY DINEEN/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Damian Lillard scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and came up with two late steals as the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from a loss to National Basketball Association leader Boston with a 115-108 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Lillard added 12 assists and Milwaukee's two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a two-game injury absence to score 21 points with nine rebounds and five assists to help the Bucks grind out a win on the second night of a back-to-back.

Lillard was key on both ends of the floor. It was tied at 96-96 with less than five minutes remaining when he poked the ball away from driving Brooklyn guard Cam Thomas, launching a fast break capped by a three-point play by Antetokounmpo.