After Five Overtimes, Milwaukee Gets Win Over Seattle, 155-154

Tony Brown’s three-point shot with 1:10 left in the fifth overtime put Milwaukee ahead to stay and the Bucks defeated the Seattle SuperSonics, 155-154, Thursday night in the longest NBA game since the adoption of the 24-second clock 35 years ago.

With the score tied, 146-146, the Bucks outscored the Sonics, 9-0, starting with Brown’s three-pointer from the left corner and ending with 34 seconds remaining on Jeff Grayer’s layup that made the score 155-146.

The only longer game in NBA history was Jan. 6, 1951, when the Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals, 75-73, in six overtimes. The Syracuse Nationals defeated the Anderson Packers, 125-123, in five overtimes on Nov. 24, 1949.

Dale Ellis scored a career-high 53 points for Seattle, including 20 in the five overtimes, and Xavier McDaniel added 35 points.

Ricky Pierce had a career-high 36 points for Milwaukee before fouling out in the first overtime. Alvin Robertson added 28 points.

After Milwaukee’s 9-0 run, Seattle countered with a three-point basket by Dana Barros, a free throw by Nate McMillan and Sedale Threatt’s rebound basket which made it 155-152.

Seattle had a chance to tie the game, but McDaniel’s desperation three-point shot missed. He was fouled by Jay Humphries as time expired and his two free throws made it 155-154.

The score was 103-103 at the end of regulation and 110-110, 120-120, 127-127 and 138-138 after each of the first four overtimes.

In the first 1:10 of the fourth overtime, the teams traded baskets on their first four possessions.

Milwaukee’s Ben Coleman was called for a technical and Ellis made it. Two free throws by McDaniel and two by Ellis gave Seattle a 136-131 lead with 1:36 left.

Milwaukee’s Jack Sikma made a three-point basket and Brown sank a 20-foot jumper with 59 seconds left, tying the game again.

On Seattle’s ensuing possession, Humphries rebounded Ellis’ missed shot and Brown banked in a turnaround jumper with 21 seconds left. Ellis countered with an 18-foot jumper from the right of the key with 11 seconds left, knotting the game, 138-138.

Milwaukee led, 126-125, with five seconds left in the third overtime when Sikma was fouled by Derrick McKey. Sikma, who hadn’t missed a free throw all season, missed the first but sank the second, giving the Bucks a 127-125 lead. Ellis’ basket tied it with two seconds left.

Trailing, 102-97, in regulation, the Sonics scored six unanswered points to pull ahead, 103-102, with 36 seconds left. McDaniel capped the run with a 20-foot jump.

But Milwaukee’s Fred Roberts made one of two free throws, tying the game, 103-103.

MOST OVERTIMES IN NBA GAMES

OT TEAMS YEAR 6 Indianapolis 75, Rochester 73 1951 5 Milwaukee 155, Seattle 154 1989 5 Syracuse 125, Anderson (Ind.) 123 1949 4 Rochester 102, New York 92 1951 4 Rochester 99, Indianapolis 96 1952 4 Portland 131, Cleveland 129 1974 4 Cleveland 154, Lakers 153 1980 4 Atlanta 127, Seattle 122, 1982 4 Chicago 156, Portland 155 1984 4 Golden State 150, New Jersey 147 1987