Due to an injury, LeBron James was unable to play on Friday night. However, D’Angelo Russell made up for it by scoring 21 of his 44 points this season in the fourth quarter and making the game-winning basket with 5.9 seconds left to help the Los Angeles Lakers overcome the Milwaukee Bucks 123-122.

Damian Lillard attempted a step-back jumper, but Spencer Dinwiddie stopped it just before the buzzer, giving the Lakers a thrilling victory. Conversely, James took a break from his ailing left ankle and did not play in his ninth game of the season due to the persistent issue.

With a fantastic performance that included nine 3-pointers, tying his career record, and nine assists, Russell carried them. He scored eight points in the final 1:13 to help the Lakers overcome a late deficit.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Lillard finished with 28 points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks dropped their second straight game.

Antetokounmpo’s jump shot with 2:53 left gave Milwaukee its first lead since the start of the second quarter. Lillard converted a two-possession lead into a four-point play, but Russell’s three-point attempt with 39 seconds left reduced the Bucks’ lead to just one point.

With 5.9 seconds left, Russell made a leaning 13-footer to give the Lakers hope after Lillard had missed a tough layup. Subsequently, Dinwiddie, who was making his Lakers debut in his hometown, stopped Lillard’s final effort.

Antetokounmpo recorded his eighth triple-double of the year and his first since January 24 with this one, making it his 43rd overall. With a career-high 17 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer in the final seconds, Pat Connaughton finished.

Anthony Davis finished with 22 points—just two in the fourth quarter—and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won 11 straight games despite finding it difficult to gain any ground in the competitive Western Conference.

The league’s leading scorer for a 21st season, LeBron James, walked off the court with four minutes remaining in the Lakers’ Wednesday night loss to Sacramento due to the most recent flare-up of an ankle ailment. James missed two games during the All-Star break as well, but according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham, the injury is not expected to end the season.

Russell produced higher offensive productivity when he was forced to play without James or Davis. He made confident shots and effectively used the ball to distribute the ball offensively. With four 3-pointers, he put the Lakers up at the half, and they would hold that lead until Antetokounmpo and Lillard took over.

Austin Reaves added eighteen more points for the Lakers.

Before the game began, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said that Khris Middleton was “close” to returning from his left ankle injury, which has held him out of play for 13 games since February 6. Rivers will not say whether Middleton would play against the Clippers on Sunday.

Maybe, Rivers said to himself. “I’m not certain. He’ll give practice on Saturday his all. I feel that he will come back sooner rather than later, whatever that means to you.