KEY POINTS
- Kevin Porter Jr. scored 20 points and hit the go-ahead jumper with 20 seconds remaining to lead Milwaukee.
- Cleveland nearly forced extra time, but Jarrett Allen’s last-second shot was ruled after the buzzer upon review.
- Both teams played without major stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden.
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a narrow 118-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night in a game defined by late-game heroics and missing superstars. Kevin Porter Jr. emerged as the hero for the hosts. He drained a high-stakes fadeaway jumper with just 20.2 seconds left on the clock. This basket broke a late tie and ultimately decided the contest between the Eastern Conference rivals.
The final moments provided immense drama as Cleveland attempted one last desperate play. Center Jarrett Allen caught the ball under the rim and successfully laid it in as the buzzer sounded. The visiting bench briefly celebrated what appeared to be a game-tying basket. However, game officials immediately reviewed the footage and determined the ball left Allen’s hand after the clock expired.
Injury reports heavily impacted the lineup for both organizations before the opening tip-off. Milwaukee played without franchise star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed his 13th straight game with a calf strain. Cleveland faced even more significant shortages after losing James Harden to a broken thumb on Tuesday. The Cavaliers also lacked the services of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley due to various lower-body injuries.
Despite the missing talent, the game featured a balanced and competitive scoring environment. Seven different players for the Bucks finished the night in double figures. Ryan Rollins contributed 18 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 17 points to support Porter Jr.’s offensive lead. This collective effort helped Milwaukee secure their eighth win in their last ten games.
Jarrett Allen carried the offensive load for the undermanned Cavaliers throughout the evening. He finished with a game-high 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a dominant interior performance. Dennis Schroder also played a pivotal role for Cleveland after being recently acquired via trade. He scored 26 points, including the layup that tied the game at 116 shortly before Porter’s final shot.
The first half was a spectacle of momentum shifts and long-range shooting. Both teams combined for 50 three-point attempts during the first two quarters alone. Milwaukee utilized an 11-0 run early in the third quarter to build a ten-point lead. However, Cleveland responded with their own 10-0 stretch to keep the game within a single possession heading into the final frame.
This victory allows the Bucks to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Cavaliers. It also moves them closer to evening the season series between the two clubs. The teams are scheduled for one final regular-season meeting on March 17. Milwaukee will look to build on this momentum as they continue their climb in the standings.
Cleveland’s loss drops them into fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They now sit a half-game behind the New York Knicks in a tightly contested playoff race. Both teams return to action on Friday evening for their next scheduled matchups. The Bucks will host the Knicks, while the Cavaliers travel to face the Detroit Pistons.
