MILWAUKEE (Azat TV) – Tim Hardaway Jr. emerged as a pivotal force off the bench for the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, scoring 17 points and hitting crucial late free throws to help his severely short-handed team secure a dramatic 102-100 victory over the slumping Milwaukee Bucks. The hard-fought win in Milwaukee highlighted the resilience of the Nuggets, who navigated a challenging matchup riddled with extensive injuries to key players.
Hardaway Jr., despite not being the most efficient shooter on the night with a 5-of-14 field goal performance, provided a massive scoring boost. More than half of his made field goals came from beyond the arc, contributing three three-pointers. His perfect 4-of-4 free-throw shooting, including two vital free throws with 10.6 seconds remaining, helped solidify Denver’s precarious lead as the Bucks mounted a furious comeback. Hardaway Jr. has maintained consistent scoring production throughout the season and has been a significant asset to the Nuggets’ bench in January.
Nuggets Overcome Extensive Injury List
The Denver Nuggets entered the game facing a daunting injury crisis, which forced significant adjustments to their lineup. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic has been sidelined since December 29 with a bone bruise in his left knee. Joining him on the injury report were Jamal Murray, who was ruled out due to inflammation in his right hamstring and left hip, and Christian Braun. Further compounding their woes, Aaron Gordon left the game in the first half with a right hamstring strain, while Peyton Watson (left ankle sprain and right ankle strain) and Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) were also unavailable. Watson had notably scored 35 points just one night prior in a victory against Washington.
Amidst these absences, third-year guard Julian Strawther stepped up, making his first start of the season and leading the Nuggets in scoring with a season-high 20 points (6-of-13 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs). Bruce Brown also contributed 15 points, underscoring the collective effort required from Denver’s depth players to clinch the win.
Bucks’ Comeback Falls Short as Antetokounmpo Exits Injured
The Milwaukee Bucks, themselves dealing with injuries to Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique strain), AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr. (illnesses), nearly orchestrated a stunning comeback. After trailing by as many as 23 points, 86-63, with 10 and a half minutes left in the game, Milwaukee clawed its way back. Ryan Rollins, who finished with 21 points, hit a three-pointer to cut Denver’s lead to 99-97 with just 29.3 seconds remaining. Rollins added another three-pointer to make it 101-100 with 5.4 seconds left, pushing the game to the wire.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. However, in a concerning development for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo exited the game with 34 seconds left due to a leg injury and did not return. His status moving forward could have significant implications for the team. Jalen Pickett was fouled with 4.5 seconds remaining and made one of two free throws for Denver, pushing the lead to 102-100. Milwaukee’s Kyle Kuzma grabbed the rebound and launched a desperation shot from beyond midcourt that bounced off the front rim, sealing the Nuggets’ victory.
This narrow victory, achieved against a backdrop of severe personnel shortages for the Nuggets and a late injury to a star for the Bucks, highlights the increasing strain on NBA rosters. It underscores the critical importance of bench contributions and tactical adjustments for teams aiming to remain competitive through the demanding regular season.