When star forward LeBron James hasn’t been available, the Lakers have performed admirably offensively for the most of the season.

For the most of Tuesday night’s 128-124 double-overtime triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, that wasn’t the case.

But the Lakers made their largest shot of the game with 39 seconds remaining, a 3-pointer by Austin Reaves giving his side a 124-121 lead and the cushion they needed to begin this six-game journey with a victory.

With 24.2 seconds remaining, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also finished with a triple-double, missed two free throws, and Reaves, who finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in 47 minutes, also grabbed the defensive rebound. With 15 seconds remaining, D’Angelo Russell (29 points, 12 assists in 50 minutes) converted two free throws to give the Lakers a 126-121 lead.

After a 3-pointer by Malik Beasley, the Bucks purposely fouled. With 1.7 seconds remaining, Anthony Davis (34 points, 23 rebounds, and four blocked shots in 52 minutes) clinched the victory with a pair of free throws.

With just 16 points in the first quarter and 42 points in the first half, the Lakers (40-32) spent the majority of the night attempting to recover from their early оffensive setbacks. This resulted in a 16-point deficit at the half and an 88-74 deficit at the end of the third quarter, which eventually turned into a 94-75 Bucks advantage with over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

But from there, the Lakers continued to strugglе.

With 43.9 seconds remaining in regulation, Taurean Prince tied the score at 101 all after being fouled while driving to the hoop.

The Bucks’ next possession was stopped by Reaves, who scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime. This allowed the Lakers to take their first lead of the game in the final seconds. Reaves faced Khris Middleton. However, on the Lakers’ subsequent possession, Malik Beasley stopped Russell. The ball was initially given to the Lakers, but Milwaukee won the challenge and regained possession with 13.2 seconds remaining.

With 2.5 seconds remaining, the Bucks attempted to put Antetokounmpo in an alley-oop after an out-of-bounds play, but the Lakers stopped them. At the end of regular, Reaves had a great opportunity to put the game in overtime, but he missed it.

With 2:19 remaining in overtime, Spencer Dinwiddie, who had trouble shooting for most of Tuesday, made his first basket, a pull-up 3-pointer that gave the Lakers their first lead of the game, 111-108.

A few minutes later, Beasley sank a 3-pointer to restore the game at 111 all after Antetokounmpo back-tapped an оffensive rebound.

After the first overtime period, Davis stopped a Lillard floater to tie the score at 117 and force a double-overtime session.

The first three minutes of the second overtime period saw no goals from either team, demonstrating the fatigue of a hard-fought game marked by careless оffensive play on both sides.

The second overtime saw Lillard and Reaves trade layups for each team’s opening baskets. Dinwiddie then converted two free throws with 1:17 remaining to level the score at 121-all.

For the Lakers, Rui Hachimura scored 16 points and 14 rebounds.

With a season-high 21 rebounds, 11 assists, and 29 points, Antetokounmpo closed the game strong. For the Bucks, Lillard scored 27 points and Beasley added 21.

James missed his tenth game of the season due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, a condition he has been dealing with for a few months.

The Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies will play a back-to-back set on Wednesday night in Tennessee. The first game of the set was played on Tuesday.

Chris Haynes, a TNT sideline reporter, claimed that James texted him to provide an update on his ιnjury management.

Haynes stated on the broadcast, “I have to be very strategic and smart of how I manage the rest of the season with my ankle/foot in order to get to the finish line.” “Any line that’s in front of me.”