Clippers can’t hold off Bucks down the stretch in loss

Kawhi Leonard (25 points) and James Harden (24) help establish a 13-point, fourth-quarter lead, but Milwaukee rallies for a 116-110 win with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the bench late.

Feb 21, 2025 - 06:00

Clippers can’t hold off Bucks down the stretch in loss

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE — Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the bench in crunch time, the Clippers couldn’t hold off the Milwaukee Bucks.

Antetokounmpo scored 23 points in his return after missing six games with a strained calf and the Bucks rallied for a 116-110 victory over the Clippers on Thursday night, completing the comeback with their All-Star big man watching from the bench.

Antetokounmpo was on a minutes restriction and played just under 24 minutes, leaving for good with 6:27 remaining as the Bucks trailed 101-96. Milwaukee then completed its comeback from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit.

Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, James Harden added 24 and Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who played without Norman Powell due to knee soreness.

The Clippers led 93-80 with less than 11 minutes remaining.

The game was tied at 104-all when Brook Lopez blocked a shot from Clippers guard Kris Dunn with less than 3½ minutes left. Lopez (22 points) then converted a three-point play on Milwaukee’s ensuing possession to put the Bucks ahead for good with 3:02 left.

All-Star guard Damian Lillard scored 12 of his 15 points in the last 6:48 of the game to help fuel the Bucks’ rally.

Milwaukee was missing Bobby Portis, who began serving a 25-game suspension after testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug program. Portis said he took the Tramadol by mistake.

TAKEAWAYS

Clippers: Harden increased his career points total to 27,005. He became the 13th player in NBA history to reach the 27,000-point mark. … Dunn had a career-high six steals.

Bucks: This was the first time Antetokounmpo played in a game with Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Sr. and Jericho Sims, who were all acquired at the trade deadline. With Portis beginning his suspension, Sims made his Bucks debut and went scoreless in 17 minutes.