Ryan Rollins delivered a career night, scoring 27 points as the Milwaukee Bucks survived a historic shooting display from Trey Murphy III to edge the New Orleans Pelicans 141–137 in overtime Wednesday night.
Murphy was sensational, pouring in a career-high 44 points while going 12 of 19 from 3-point range. His 12 made 3s tied for the fifth-most in a single game in NBA history, trailing only Klay Thompson’s record-setting 14 for Golden State in 2018. Despite Murphy’s barrage, Milwaukee found enough answers to pull out the win.
The teams combined to hit 45 of 93 shots from beyond the arc, with New Orleans shooting 24 of 46 and Milwaukee 21 of 47. The Bucks were blisteringly efficient overall, shooting a season-best 60.9% from the field.
Milwaukee seized control in overtime by scoring the first five points on a Rollins driving layup and a Myles Turner 3-pointer. New Orleans had a chance to go ahead late, trailing 139–137, but Zion Williamson was whistled for an offensive foul moments before Saddiq Bey buried a 3-pointer that would have given the Pelicans the lead with 6.5 seconds remaining.
Kevin Porter Jr. sealed it at the free-throw line, knocking down two shots with 5.2 seconds left. Porter finished with 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds in his return after missing six games with an oblique strain. AJ Green added 20 points for Milwaukee.
Bey scored 22 points and Williamson had 20 for New Orleans, which nearly won it in regulation. Turner appeared to give the Bucks the lead on a corner 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but replay review ruled his left heel was out of bounds.
The victory marked Milwaukee’s second straight after snapping a five-game losing streak with a win over Chicago on Tuesday. It was the first time all season the Bucks have won back-to-back games.
Milwaukee again played without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined since straining his right calf on Jan. 23. Antetokounmpo, the subject of widespread trade rumors, watched from the bench on the eve of the trade deadline.
Up next:
Pelicans visit Minnesota on Friday.
Bucks host Indiana on Friday.
