Nuggets hold off Bucks in thriller as Giannis’ 31 not enough

It was the kind of game that reminds you why the altitude in Denver isn’t the only thing that leaves opponents gasping for air. In a game between the Nuggets and Bucks that swung wildly between defensive grit and offensive fireworks, the Denver Nuggets managed to outlast a surging Milwaukee Bucks squad 108-104 at Ball Arena on Sunday night.

Despite a monstrous 31-point, 11-assist, 8-rebound effort from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks couldn’t quite close the gap in the final seconds, falling short in a game that felt like a playoff preview from the opening tip.

Nuggets Bench Steps Up

With Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both dealing with injuries, the narrative coming into Sunday was how the Nuggets would survive without their MVP engine. The answer came from an unlikely source: the bench.

Tim Hardaway Jr. turned back the clock, pouring in 25 points off the pine, including five 3-pointers that seemed to suck the life out of every Bucks rally. He was joined by Zeke Nnaji, who was a force in the paint with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, providing the interior toughness Denver desperately needed.

“I don’t think anybody in there intended to turn it over,” said Peyton Watson, who started and contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, referencing the team’s scattered play earlier in the week. “I think everybody was just trying to find some rhythm.”

They found it when it mattered most. The Nuggets’ reserves outplayed Milwaukee’s depth, a critical factor on a night where every possession felt weighted.

Giannis Doing Giannis Things

For Milwaukee, the story remains the same: Antetokounmpo is spectacular, but he needs help.

The Greek Freak was everywhere. He was blocking shots at the rim, leading the fast break, and finding shooters in the corners. He shot 10-of-17 from the field and got to the line 14 times, a testament to his relentless aggression. But the burden of carrying the offense for 33 minutes in the thin mountain air eventually took its toll.

“We cannot be comfortable,” Antetokounmpo said regarding the team’s recent form. “We can’t be complacent right now. We got to keep on pushing, pushing our envelope.”

Myles Turner chipped in 16 points, and AJ Green added 14, but the Bucks’ backcourt struggled to generate consistent offense outside of transition. Kevin Porter Jr. had a rough shooting night, going 4-for-17 from the floor, a stat line that will surely haunt Milwaukee fans looking at the four-point margin of defeat.

The Turning Point

The game was decided in the details of the fourth quarter. With the Bucks trailing 106-104 with just seconds remaining, Milwaukee had a chance to tie or win. Instead, a disjointed possession ended without a clean look, forcing them to foul Aaron Gordon. Gordon hit one of two free throws to extend the lead, and despite a late layup from Ryan Rollins, the clock simply ran out on Milwaukee’s comeback bid.

Controversy wasn’t absent, either. A late collision involving Gordon and Antetokounmpo was ruled an offensive foul on the Bucks star, a call that erased a potential bucket and swung momentum back to the home team. Doc Rivers was seen pleading his case with the officials, particularly regarding what he felt were illegal screens set to free up Hardaway Jr. for a crucial late 3-pointer.

What It Means

The win stabilizes the Nuggets (26-13) as they navigate a tricky portion of their schedule without their superstars. Finding ways to win “ugly” or without your best pitch is a hallmark of championship contenders, and Denver proved they have the DNA to survive adversity.

For the Bucks (17-22), it’s another frustrating chapter in a season defined by inconsistency. They showed flashes of brilliance and the resilience to claw back from double-digit deficits, but moral victories don’t count in the standings. They remain 11th in the East, fighting to climb back into the play-in picture.

Milwaukee will look to bounce back as it closes out their road trip, while Denver defends home court again, hoping to get healthier in the coming days. But for one night in the Mile High City, the supporting cast took center stage, and the Nuggets walked away with a W.