KING COMEBACK: Giannis Antetokounmpo made an EFFORT performance when combining with Lillard on return day to help the Bucks beat Nets

Damian Lillard had 30 points and 12 assists, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 21 points and nine rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a fourth-quarter rally to beat the visiting Brooklyn Nets 115-108 on Thursday.

Brook Lopez added 17 points for Milwaukee (45-25), which completed a three-game sweep of the season series against Brooklyn (26-44). Malik Beasley scored 16 points and AJ Green had 15 on five 3-pointers.

Brooklyn trailed by as many as 20 late in the first half before cutting the deficit to 81-69 at the end of the third quarter. The Nets opened the fourth quarter on a 21-6 run to move ahead 90-87 with 6:41 remaining in the contest.

Milwaukee regained the lead and held a 103-98 advantage after Antetokounmpo scored with 2:34 left. Mikal Bridges’ trey made it a two-point game before Beasley hit a 3-pointer with 1:37 to play.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) scores during the first half of their game against the Brooklyn Nets Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lillard scored the next five points to help Milwaukee secure the win and improve to 28-7 at home.

Bridges led the Nets with 24 points, while Nic Claxton scored 22, Cam Thomas had 21, and Cam Johnson had 17. Brooklyn lost its fifth straight and shot 13 of 44 (29.5 percent) from 3-point range.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) throws down a dunk during the second half of their game Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-108.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after making basket during the second half of their game Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 115-108.

Antetokounmpo returned from a two-game absence due to left hamstring tendinopathy and scored nine points in the opening quarter to help give the Bucks a 26-19 lead.

With 2:58 remaining in the second quarter, Milwaukee led 53-35 thanks to eight points by Lillard during a 14-4 run.

The Bucks led 60-44 at the half after three 3-pointers apiece from Lopez and Green in the second quarter. Thomas led the Nets with 12 points in the first half, while Lopez led Milwaukee with 15.

Nets' comeback falls short in 115-108 loss to Bucks

With a 3-pointer by Bridges, Brooklyn rallied to cut the lead to 71-67, and the Bucks went on a 10-point spree to end the third quarter.

Khris Middleton, a forward for Milwaukee, was sidelined by a left ankle injury and did not play.