The Milwaukee Bucks played their third consecutive game without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, both of whom were ruled out with non-COVID illnesses. While they won each of their last two games without their dynamic duo, the Bucks came up short against the Brooklyn Nets, losing 111-105 on Thursday night.
After leading for most of the game following the first quarter, Milwaukee got sloppy at the end and gave the game away to the short-handed Nets.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal, but also committed seven turnovers. Bobby Portis had 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals, but it was not enough to hold off Brooklyn.
Milwaukee Bucks Center Brook Lopez Made NBA History in the Loss to the Brooklyn Nets
Brook Lopez, who is the Nets’ franchise leader in points scored, games played, and blocked shots, had 20 points (18 in the first half), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
It was the second block of the night, on an ally-oop play, that put his name in NBA record books.
Brook Lopez hits one from way downtown then sends one back on the other end 🎯🚫 pic.twitter.com/Ob6sBeke6e
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2024
That block was the 1,969th of Lopez’s career, which puts him at number 20 on the NBA’s all-time list.
In nine seasons with the Nets to start his career, Lopez blocked a total of 972 shots. In seven seasons with Milwaukee, he now has 899 (he had 98 in his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers).
For his career, Lopez is averaging 1.9 blocks per game, which is a tad under what he is averaging this season (2.0).
Interestingly, Lopez averaged over 2.0 blocks per game just once in his nine seasons with the Nets. If he maintains his 2.0 blocks per game average this year, it will be the fifth time in seven seasons that he does so with the Bucks.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Fans React to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Mysterious Absence as Greek Freak Misses 3rd Straight Game
- “No Excuse for This;” Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Be Facing a Massive Fine
- “The Framework Is There;” Bucks Named in Massive 3-Team Trade Proposal with Hawks and Nets
- “Two?!” Bucks Announce Devastating News on Thursday
- Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis Linked to Mock Trade with the Dallas Mavericks
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