Antetokounmpo returns to help Bucks outlast Knueppel and Hornets, 147-134 in overtime

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 assists and seven rebounds in his return and the Bucks outlasted former Milwaukee high school star Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets 147-134 in overtime Friday night in an NBA Cup game.

The teams split a home-and-home set, with both also playing the front end of a back-to-back. On Wednesday night in Charlotte, with Antetokounmpo sidelined because of patellar tendinopathy in his left knee, the Hornets beat the Bucks 111-100.

Knueppel scored a season-high 32 points in his first NBA game in his hometown. Drafted fourth overall, he spent last season at Duke after leading undefeated Wisconsin Lutheran High School to the 2024 Wisconsin Division 2 title.

Knueppel hit two late tying 3-pointers in regulation, the first pulling the Hornets even at 125 with 1:34 to go and the second squaring it at 129 with 21 seconds left. The latter came after Knueppel grabbed the rebound after Miles Bridges missed a dunk. Antetokounmpo — who also had seven turnovers — shot an air-ball at the buzzer for Milwaukee, sending it to overtime.

Kyle Kuzma led Milwaukee with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Rollins added 20 points.

Bridges also had 32 points for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball had 16 points and 10 assists, and Moussa Diabate added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Pat Connaughton also had a homecoming, but failed to score in 10 minutes in his first game in Milwaukee since being traded to the Hornets in the offseason.

Milwaukee improved to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in NBA Cup play. Charlotte is 4-8 overall and 0-2 in the in-season tournament.

Hornets: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

Bucks: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy is introduced during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Kon Knueppel gets past Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Kon Knueppel is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks' Gary Trent Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (AP) — Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday approved a defense agreement allowing the temporary presence of U.S. military and civilian personnel inside its borders, widely seen as a victory for the Trump administration, which has sought to strengthen its presence in Latin America.

The Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, was approved by a large majority of lawmakers and now awaits the signature of President Santiago Peña to take effect. Peña, one of Trump’s closest allies in the region, is expected to sign the deal in the coming days.

The agreement passed with 53 votes in favor and eight against, and four abstentions out of a total 80 lawmakers. Fifteen were not present for the vote.

Signed by both countries in Washington in December, the agreement establishes a legal framework for the presence of U.S. security forces in Paraguay for training, joint exercises, and humanitarian assistance. It also authorizes the United States to have criminal jurisdiction over its personnel while in the country.

The treaty, praised as “historic” by both the U.S. State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, was approved by the Paraguayan Senate last week, where debate was more polarized due to concerns over potential violations of sovereignty.

Some legislators argued against the agreement, citing a controversial provision to grant foreign troops immunity from prosecution, equivalent to that handed to diplomatic personnel.

“We believe in international cooperation, but we also believe in strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty,” said independent congressman Raúl Benítez.

Despite criticisms, Paraguay’s foreign minister backed the agreement, arguing in December that its main purpose is to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Paraguay in fighting transnational organized crime and “terrorism.” He also clarified that “there is no possibility of the installation of U.S. military bases” in Paraguay.

Washington has also praised SOFA, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic agreement” that would help facilitate bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and other shared security interests.

The approval of SOFA comes as Washington seeks to expand its influence in Latin America under the Trump administration’s national security strategy and as a sector of civil society in Paraguay continues to raise its voice against it.

“The security of a country is not built by importing troops or shielding foreign agents with diplomatic immunities,” said Peace and Justice Service, a civil organization which has a presence across Latin America, in a statement released days before the final vote. The treaty, it added, “does not represent progress in security, but rather the formalization of a geopolitics of impunity that undermines the pillars of our national dignity.”

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Paraguayan lawmakers from the Chamber of Deputies meet for a final vote on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) military agreement between the U.S. and Paraguay in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Raul Latorre, president of Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies, gives his support to the final vote in favor of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) military agreement between the U.S. and Paraguay in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)