Antetokounmpo scores 30, Middleton gets triple-double as Bucks roll past Thunder 118-93

On Sunday, Khris Middleton achieved his second career triple-double, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and pulled down a season-high 19 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-93.

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots past Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Middleton recorded his first triple-double since January 20, 2018, with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Oklahoma City (49-21) lost its lead in the Western Conference as Milwaukee blew open a tight game in the second half. The Denver Nuggets (50-21), the defending NBA champions, pulled a half-game ahead of the Thunder despite not playing on Sunday.

Oklahoma City finished the season with its lowest point total and shooting percentage (.371) of the whole field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City finished the fourth quarter without playing after the Bucks had taken a commanding lead. It was his 12th point of the game, his lowest since January 19.

Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder's Aaron Wiggins during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

This was the first time that Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard were on the court for the same game for the Bucks since a win against Dallas on February 3. They started with their favorite lineup of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Malik Beasley for the first time since a defeat at Portland on January 31.

Because of her left ankle sprain, Middleton has missed 16 consecutive games. On Thursday, she also missed a game against the Brooklyn Nets because of ιnjury management. Lillard missed two games in early February due to an injured left ankle as well. Due to a left hamstring ιnjury, Antetokounmpo missed two games before making a comeback on Thursday.

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Seven players from Milwaukee scored in double digits. Lillard, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis each scored eleven, Lopez had fourteen, and Jae Crowder had ten.

For the Thunder, Josh Giddey scored 19 and Jalen Williams added 18.

After leading 48-47 at the half, the Bucks stormed ahead 18-2 in the opening more than six minutes of the third quarter to take a commanding lead in the game. The first point of the third quarter for Oklahoma City came from Williams, who with 5:38 remaining finished a 16-0 Milwaukee run with a layup.

Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard gets past Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

After Williams scored, it seemed as if Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort took a blоw to the head under the hoop, forcing the swingman to exit the game.

The Thunder tied their lowest point total of the season in the third quarter, which the Bucks ultimately won 34–17.