Giannis Unstoppable: How the Bucks Delivered a Shocking 116-99 Defeat to the Nets

There’s something electrifying about watching a behemoth like Giannis Antetokounmpo shatter milestones—and Saturday night in Milwaukee was exactly that kind of electric. Bucking a brutal seven-game losing streak, Giannis lit up the scoreboard with 29 points and, in doing so, thundered past the 21,000 career points marker—an elite club that places him as the 42nd player ever and one of the youngest to hit such a feat. Fresh from a groin strain layoff, he didn’t just return; he reclaimed his throne, carving up the Brooklyn Nets who were limping along without key scorers. It wasn’t just Giannis, though—Kevin Porter Jr.’s return, alongside A.J. Green and Bobby Portis Jr., fortified Milwaukee’s push to a 116-99 victory, serving notice that this team is far from down for the count. Meanwhile, rookie Danny Wolf dazzled the Nets faithful with a career-high 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Bucks’ surge. For everyone tracking the pulse of the NBA—and yes, those hungry for a masterclass in resilience—this game was a reminder that sometimes, the giants awaken just when you think they’re down. LEARN MORE

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points and topped the 21,000-point mark for his career on Saturday night as the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 116-99 victory over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets.

Antetokounmpo, in his second game back after missing four due to a groin strain, became the 42nd player, and sixth-youngest, in NBA history to reach 21,000 career points when he hit a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo shot 12 for 15 in 19 minutes and had eight rebounds.

Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. scored 13 points in his first game back since spraining an ankle in the season opener. Porter then injured his right meniscus working his way back and underwent surgery in early November. A.J. Green added 15 points and Bobby Portis Jr. 13 for Milwaukee.

Rookie Danny Wolf, playing in his fifth game, had a career-high 22 points for the Nets. Wolf shot 8 for 16, including 5 for 9 from beyond the arc. Jalen Wilson added 13 points.

The Bucks took control with a 39-24 scoring advantage in the second quarter and held a 71-53 lead at the half. The margin ballooned to 92-60 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.

The Nets were without leading scorer Michael Cooper Jr. (24.3 points per game), who missed his second consecutive game due to lower back tightness. Starting guard Egor Demin was sidelined with injury management for a left plantar fascia tear.

Brooklyn already was without guard Cam Thomas (21.4 points), who has been sidelined since early November due to a left hamstring strain.

Antetokounmpo returned to the lineup Friday and scored 30 points in 118-109 loss to the New York Knicks that eliminated the Bucks from the NBA Cup.