Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

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LaMelo Ball became the third-youngest player in NBA history, and the first in Charlotte Hornets history, with 50 points and 10 assists in a game, but it came in a losing effort Saturday night, as the Milwaukee Bucks won 125-119.

The 50 points were a career high for Ball, 23, who had 10 points in the first half but exploded for 40 in the second. He finished 17-of-38 from the field, including 6-of-17 beyond the arc, and was 10-of-13 on free throws.

Brandon Miller added 32 for the Hornets. He and Ball are the fourth duo, both 23 or younger, to each score 30-plus points in consecutive games in NBA history, and the first since Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant did it for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds and Damian Lillard added 31 points for the Bucks, who completed a 4-0 homestand and have won six of their past seven games.

Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with a 14-5 spurt for a 110-90 lead, but the Hornets got it to 121-119 on Miller's 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.

Taurean Prince answered with a pair of free throws for the Bucks to make it a two-possession game, and Charlotte missed a pair of 3-pointers on the ensuing possession. Antetokounmpo hit two free throws with 4.5 seconds left to make it 125-119.

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall