The Lakers had fought their way back, LeBron James was close to a triple-double, and Milwaukee’s earlier advantage had disappeared. Then Giannis Antetokounmpo made two defensive plays that changed the ending. The Bucks escaped Los Angeles with a 105–101 victory on 9 January 2026, closing a tight contest with defensive stops and Kevin Porter Jr.’s free throws.
The Milwaukee Bucks vs Lakers match player stats explain how the visitors survived. Porter delivered scoring, passing and defensive pressure, while Giannis made almost every shot he attempted. James and Luka Dončić produced impressive totals for the Lakers, but their team paid for missed opportunities.
From Milwaukee’s productive bench to Los Angeles’s uneven shooting, several smaller details proved just as important as the star performances.
How the Game Turned Into a Close Finish
Los Angeles finished the first quarter with a narrow 25–24 lead. Neither side had created much separation, but Milwaukee found its scoring rhythm during the second period.
The Bucks scored 37 second-quarter points, making 15 of their 21 field-goal attempts. Porter supplied 10 points in that stretch, while Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis contributed nine and seven respectively.
That shared scoring effort helped Milwaukee reach half-time with a 61–52 advantage. The Bucks had received enough production beyond Giannis to put pressure on the home side.
Both teams added 25 points in the third quarter, leaving the same nine-point gap entering the fourth. Los Angeles then mounted its comeback and briefly moved ahead.
The Milwaukee Bucks vs Lakers match player stats need to be read against that changing scoreboard. Milwaukee controlled an important stretch of the game, but the final result still depended on how it responded after surrendering its lead.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Stats: Porter Set the Pace
Kevin Porter Jr. finished as Milwaukee’s leading scorer with 22 points, but his contribution was much broader than that. He also recorded five rebounds, six assists, four steals and one block.
Playing nearly 40 minutes, Porter carried a substantial workload. He made seven of 14 field-goal attempts and reached the free-throw line 10 times, converting seven.
His performance gave Milwaukee a guard who could create chances, finish possessions and interrupt the Lakers’ attack. Those four steals deserve particular attention in a game decided by four points.
Here is the Milwaukee player breakdown:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Porter Jr. | 22 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 7/14 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 21 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9/11 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 13 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5/10 |
| Bobby Portis | 11 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5/12 |
| AJ Green | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4/7 |
| Ryan Rollins | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/13 |
| Myles Turner | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3/6 |
| Gary Trent Jr. | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/5 |
| Gary Harris | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1/1 |
FG means field goals made/attempted.
Giannis added 21 points on nine-of-11 shooting, alongside six rebounds and five assists. His ability to score with so few misses helped balance a difficult shooting evening for Ryan Rollins, who finished two-of-13.
The Milwaukee Bucks vs Lakers match player stats also highlight Bobby Portis’s work on the boards. His 11 points and 12 rebounds gave the visitors a double-double from the bench.
Kuzma’s 13 points and AJ Green’s 11 provided further support. Green made three of six three-point attempts, giving Milwaukee valuable scoring from outside.
Lakers Player Stats: Big Totals, Mixed Results
LeBron James led all scorers with 26 points, adding 10 assists, nine rebounds and three steals. He finished just one rebound away from a triple-double.
James made 10 of his 21 field-goal attempts. His scoring helped drive the Lakers’ recovery, while his passing created opportunities for team-mates throughout the game.
Dončić also came close to a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. However, his scoring total came from 25 field-goal attempts.
The Lakers player statistics show the contributions across the rotation:
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | FG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 26 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 10/21 |
| Luka Dončić | 24 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 8/25 |
| Jake LaRavia | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5/8 |
| Marcus Smart | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3/9 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4/7 |
| Gabe Vincent | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/5 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/6 |
| Deandre Ayton | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 |
| Dalton Knecht | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/4 |
| Maxi Kleber | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 |
FG means field goals made/attempted.
Dončić’s shooting was unusually uneven. He made four of six three-pointers, yet converted only four of 19 attempts from inside the arc.
That difference matters. His outside shooting was a strength, but the missed two-point attempts reduced the overall return from his scoring opportunities.
Jake LaRavia supplied 13 points on five-of-eight shooting, including three three-pointers. Jarred Vanderbilt contributed nine points and nine rebounds without a turnover.
James and Dončić combined for 50 points and 19 assists. Those figures explain how Los Angeles stayed dangerous, even during periods when its finishing let it down.
The Shooting Numbers That Explain Milwaukee’s Win
At first glance, some of the team statistics appear to favour Los Angeles. The Lakers made more field goals, hit more three-pointers and recorded more assists.
Milwaukee nevertheless found a more rewarding combination of two-point finishing and free throws.
| Team statistic | Milwaukee | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 38/79 | 39/91 |
| Field-goal percentage | 48.1% | 42.9% |
| Three-pointers | 12/34 | 15/36 |
| Three-point percentage | 35.3% | 41.7% |
| Free throws | 17/22 | 8/14 |
| Assists | 23 | 28 |
| Player rebounds | 44 | 45 |
The clearest difference came at the foul line. Milwaukee scored 17 free throws to the Lakers’ eight, creating a nine-point advantage.
Los Angeles gained nine extra points through its three additional three-pointers. However, that benefit was cancelled out by Milwaukee’s greater free-throw return.
The Bucks also made 26 two-point shots, compared with 24 for the Lakers. That four-point difference matched the final margin.
Another useful detail in the Milwaukee Bucks vs Lakers match player stats is bench production. Milwaukee’s reserves scored 33 points, while the Lakers’ bench supplied 25.
These numbers show why the result cannot be explained through the leading scorers alone. Milwaukee received enough help across its rotation to make its efficient shooting count.
The Defensive Plays That Settled the Result
The final minutes brought several changes in direction. Myles Turner made a three-pointer to give Milwaukee a 101–98 lead, only for LaRavia to answer with a three of his own.
At 101–101, both teams still had a clear route to victory.
Giannis then blocked a James lay-up attempt with 39 seconds remaining. It was a crucial stop with the scores level and very little room for error.
Porter subsequently drew a foul from Dončić on a three-point attempt. Dončić fouled out, and Porter converted two of his three free throws to put Milwaukee ahead 103–101.
The Lakers still had an opportunity to respond. Instead, Giannis knocked the ball away from James in the closing seconds, and Porter added two further free throws.
Giannis’s final line included two blocks and two steals. The timing of those contributions made them especially valuable: Milwaukee needed stops, and he delivered them when another Lakers basket could have changed the outcome.
Conclusion
The Milwaukee Bucks vs Lakers match player stats reveal a contest shaped by more than star scoring. James nearly recorded a triple-double, Dončić supplied another substantial all-round performance, and the Lakers fought back strongly.
Milwaukee answered through Porter’s complete contribution, Giannis’s efficient finishing and a productive supporting cast. Better returns from two-point shots and free throws helped the Bucks stay competitive before their defence settled the finish.
For all the impressive individual totals, the lasting moments were simple: a blocked lay-up, a stolen possession and free throws made under pressure.
(FAQs)
Who won the Bucks vs Lakers game on 9 January 2026?
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 105–101 at Crypto.com Arena. Milwaukee recovered after the Lakers erased a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Who was the highest scorer in the match?
LeBron James led all players with 26 points. Luka Dončić scored 24, while Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 22.
Did LeBron James finish with a triple-double?
No. James recorded 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, finishing one rebound short of a triple-double.
How efficient was Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Giannis made nine of 11 field-goal attempts, giving him an 81.8% shooting percentage. He finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists.
What was the biggest statistical advantage for Milwaukee?
Free throws were a major advantage. Milwaukee made 17 of 22, while Los Angeles converted eight of 14. The Bucks also shot more accurately overall.
