Julian Strawther scored a season-high 20 points, and the depleted Denver Nuggets held off the Milwaukee Bucks 102-100 on Friday at Fiserv Forum.
Aaron Gordon contributed 13 points before leaving with a hamstring strain, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 and Bruce Brown scored 15 to help Denver maintain a 23-point lead in the second half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists before exiting with a right calf injury, and Ryan Rollins scored 21 points for the Bucks, including 15 in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee cut a 23-point deficit to 101-100 with 5.4 seconds remaining, but Jalen Pickett’s free throws secured Denver’s victory after a missed desperation 3 by Kyle Kuzma.
The Nuggets were missing Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas, while the Bucks also played without Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr.
Denver shot 40% from the field and 29% from three, while Milwaukee converted 49% overall and 31% from deep, relying on late-game shooting to nearly complete a comeback.
The win improves Denver to 31-15, keeping them third in the Western Conference, while the Bucks fall to 18-26 and continue their struggles, losing five of six.
Denver will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, and Milwaukee hosts the Dallas Mavericks in their next matchup.
