Lakers rally in fourth quarter for thrilling 107-102 comeback win over Bucks in preseason showdown.
The Los Angeles Lakers staged a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback to clinch a 107-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, marking their first preseason victory. Despite a powerful preseason debut from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who tallied 20 points, and a game-high 23 from Bobby Portis, the Bucks couldn’t withstand the Lakers’ late-game surge.
Down by 15 points at the start of the fourth, Los Angeles went on a 33-20 run led by undrafted rookie Quincy Olivari and a team-high 14 points from Rui Hachimura.
Even without key players like Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt (foot surgery), and Christian Wood (knee surgery), the Lakers demonstrated depth and tenacity, particularly in the closing quarter.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis took the floor for Los Angeles, countering Milwaukee’s star lineup featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Milwaukee held the advantage early, with Portis finding his shooting rhythm and Antetokounmpo’s intense play driving the team. The Bucks led 58-52 at halftime and extended that lead to 89-74 midway through the fourth.
Quincy Olivari, a recent Exhibit 10 signee, emerged as the Lakers’ game-changer, sparking a 20-0 run that flipped the game’s trajectory. Playing just nine minutes, Olivari’s defense and sharpshooting helped the Lakers rally; he posted 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and contributed five rebounds and two assists.
Rui Hachimura led the team with 14 points, while Dalton Knecht (13 points), LeBron James, and Anthony Davis (11 points each) rounded out the Lakers’ scoring, showcasing depth even without several key players.
For the Bucks, Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo stood out, along with A.J. Johnson’s 13 points off the bench. With Khris Middleton (ankle) and Gary Trent Jr. (elbow) sidelined, Milwaukee still displayed considerable roster depth, though it wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers’ momentum in the final minutes.
This matchup also marked the Lakers’ first encounter with former head coach Darvin Ham since his return to Milwaukee’s coaching staff. The Lakers, now 1-2 in the preseason, will look to build on this resilient performance as they continue prepping for the regular season.
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