Tuch's short-handed goal helps the Sabres rally for a 4-2 win over the Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Alex Tuch scored a short-handed goal early in the third period to give Buffalo its first lead and the Sabres beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Saturday night.

Tuch intercepted a pass in his defensive zone and beat Mackenzie Blackwood on a breakaway for his third short-handed goal of the season. That gave Buffalo a come-from-behind win and spoiled the night for the sellout crowd that turned out to watch Joe Thornton get his No. 19 jersey retired.

Dylan Cozens scored earlier in the third to tie the game and Peyton Krebs also scored for Buffalo. Rasmus Dahlin iced it with an empty-netter.

James Reimer made 31 saves in his first game in San Jose since leaving the Sharks following the 2022-23 season.

Fabian Zetterlund and Luke Kunin scored for the Sharks, who have only one win in their last seven games.

Blackwood made 27 saves for San Jose.

Sabres: Buffalo rallied for the win a night after erasing a two-goal deficit to beat Anaheim in overtime.

Sharks: San Jose was let down by its power play, going 0 for 5 and allowing the short-handed goal. The Sharks had three power plays in the third, including 19 seconds of a two-man advantage.

The Thornton tributes carried over to the game. Zetterlund stroked an imaginary beard and pointed to the Thornton jersey in the rafters after he scored. Krebs pointed to the 19 on the back of his jersey after his goal.

After winning games in Los Angeles and Anaheim earlier in this road trip, the Sabres completed the rare California sweep. The only other time Buffalo won road games at San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles in the same season came in the 2011-12 season.

Sabres host Minnesota on Wednesday night, and Sharks host Los Angeles on Monday night.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Joe Thornton, standing with his wife Tabea and children River and Ayla, waves to the crowd during a ceremony to retire his jersey before an NHL hockey game between the San Jose Sharks and the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in San Jose, California. (Ezra Shaw/Pool Photo via AP)

Joe Thornton, second from right, hugs members of his family during a ceremony to retire his jersey before an NHL Hockey game between the San Jose Sharks and the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Ezra Shaw/ Pool Photo via AP)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender James Reimer (47) blocks a shot by San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood blocks a shot against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) skates up the ice against San Jose Sharks defenseman Jake Walman (96) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) battles for the puck against San Jose Sharks defenseman Jake Walman (96) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds and Damian Lillard added 31 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Charlotte Hornets 125-119 on Saturday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with a 14-5 spurt for a 110-90 lead, but the Hornets got it to 121-119 on Brandon 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.

LaMelo Ball had a career-high 50 points for the Hornets, and Brandon Miller added 32. Ball hit 17 of 38 shots, including 6 of 17 beyond the arc, and 10 of 13 free throws.

Milwaukee, which completed a 4-0 homestand, has won six of its last seven. The only loss in that span was a 115-114 loss to the Hornets on Nov. 16 following a controversial foul call.

Charlotte’s Grant Williams went to the locker room late in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury and did not return.

Hornets: Charlotte has lost five of its last seven.

Bucks: Lillard, who did not play in the Bucks' last game against Charlotte, hit 9 of 21 shots, including 10 of 11 free throws.

Milwaukee hit four consecutive 3-pointers for a 12-3 run and a 96-83 lead late in the third quarter.

The Bucks were 18 of 37 from beyond the arc, matching their season high in 3-pointers made.

The Hornets host the Orlando Magic on Monday, and the Bucks are at the Miami Heat in NBA Group Play on Tuesday.

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

Charlotte Hornets' Brandon Miller dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Andre Jackson Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Grant Williams and Milwaukee Bucks' AJ Green go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis reacts in front of Charlotte Hornets' LaMelo Ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Charlotte Hornets' Moussa Diabate fouls Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)