The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a gut-wrenching 105-101 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, snapping their perfect 13-0 record in clutch games this season. In a thrilling back-and-forth battle, the Lakers rallied from double-digit deficits but faltered in the final minute, thanks to two massive defensive plays by Giannis Antetokounmpo against LeBron James
Game Recap: Lakers Rally Late but Fall Short
The Bucks jumped out to a strong first-half lead, building a double-digit advantage behind efficient scoring and turnovers forced on LA. The Lakers fought back in the fourth quarter with a 17-4 run to take the lead, but Milwaukee responded with clutch execution.Final Minute Drama: With the score tied at 101, Giannis blocked LeBron’s go-ahead layup attempt from behind (39.2 seconds left). On the next possession, Giannis poked the ball away from LeBron for a steal (with just seconds remaining), allowing Kevin Porter Jr. to seal the win with free throws.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 22 points and 6 assists, stepping up big in crunch time.
The Bucks improved to 17-21 with this road upset, while the Lakers dropped to 23-13 — still strong in the Western Conference but now showing cracks in late-game execution.
Fans searching for Lakers vs Bucks January 9 2026 highlights or Giannis block on LeBron won’t be disappointed — the ending was pure NBA drama!Here are intense shots capturing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game-sealing block and steal on LeBron James in the final minute:
LeBron James & Luka Dončić Shine But Can’t Close
The superstar duo nearly carried LA to victory:LeBron James: 26 points (10-21 FG, 2-7 3PT, 4-6 FT), 9 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals — a near triple-double with strong fourth-quarter scoring.
Luka Dončić: 24 points (8-25 FG), 9 rebounds, 9 assists — struggled from the field but contributed in playmaking; he fouled out late on a controversial call.
The loss highlighted rare miscues from the stars in clutch situations, with fans debating referee decisions and late-game strategy.More action shots of LeBron James driving and battling the Bucks’ defense, plus Luka Dončić in the fight:
What It Means for the Lakers Moving Forward
This winnable game exposed vulnerabilities in closing out tight contests, despite the team’s strong season. With the West loaded and the trade deadline approaching, the Lakers will look to bounce back quickly. Coach JJ Redick and the stars will surely address the late-game execution.Catch the full highlights on NBA.com or YouTube for the wild ending!
Was Giannis’ defense the difference, or did the refs play a role? Share your thoughts in the comments section!
