Charlotte edges Bucks in OT, 108-106

Published Oct. 29, 2014 10:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kemba Walker didn't waste any time at all providing the Charlotte Hornets with a return on their investment.

One night after agreeing to a four-year, $24 million contract extension, the diminutive guard knocked down two huge shots, including the 21-footer from the top of the key with 5 seconds left in overtime to lift Charlotte to a 108-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Walker scored a game-high 26 points and gave fans more reason to celebrate on a night when they welcomed the Hornets name back to the city after a 12-year absence.

Walker struggled in the early going hitting just 2 of 8 shots in the first quarter and was just 9 of 26 for the game.

But he came up big when the team needed him most, swishing a tying 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime and help the Hornets erased a 24-point third-quarter deficit and cap the largest comeback in Charlotte's NBA history -- Hornets or Bobcats.

"I was so high on adrenaline that I couldn't calm down," Walker said of his slow start. "I was so anxious to be out there and the crowd was so into it. I was trying my best but it just wasn't working out for me. Those last couple of shots I finally really did relax."

Walker battled through cramps in his right foot, but kept on playing.

"He's courageous," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "I asked him if he was good and he said, `I'll make one more play.' And he did."

Marvin Williams had 19 points, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 17 and Al Jefferson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.

Lance Stephenson had seven points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in his Hornets debut and provided a boost after the Hornets fell behind 74-50 and the crowd starting booing.

"I would have booed, too," Walker said. "I know it was tough to watch for those guys. We weren't playing any defense and lot of things weren't going our way."

The Bucks were led by Brandon Knight, who had 22 points and 13 assists.

Khris Middleton had a chance to put the Bucks up by four points with 7.1 second left, but made only 1 of 2 foul shots setting up Walker's big 3.

After Middleton made his second free throw, Walker took the inbounds pass, weaved through traffic and pulled up well beyond the 3-point arc. He elevated through his shot as fans in the lower section rose from their seats in unison, almost willing the ball into the basket.

The Bucks couldn't get a shot off at the end of regulation.

"Bad teams lose these types of games and this is something we are going to have to get over all year," said Bucks forward Jared Dudley.

The Bucks finished with the worst record in the league last year and wound up drafting Jabari Parker from Duke with the No. 2 overall pick. Parker finished with eight points in his first NBA game.

"It was everything I expected, two great teams going down to the wire," Parker said. "The better team won today but we're going to get better."