After an emotional morning, which saw one of their leaders get traded, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to gather themselves and snap a four-game losing streak with a 112-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday at the Spectrum Center.
Milwaukee, five games over .500 (27-22) got a much-needed win after dropping five of their last six coming into the game while sending Charlotte (12-36) into a deeper hole with their sixth consecutive loss.
The Bucks were still able to pull out the win despite their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo walking off the court just before tip-off with tightness in his left calf. The team was also without Khris Middleton, who was not with the team after reportedly being traded to the Washington Wizards.
Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. all stepped up and rallied the troops in their absences, with Lillard recording a double-double by halftime and finishing with 29 points and 12 assists. It was Dame time. He made 9 of his 18 shots and did not have to take the court in the fourth quarter while logging only 31 minutes. Lopez, who was questionable prior to the game with a bruised left knee, jumped out of the gates on fire, draining 4 three-pointers in the first quarter, and he finished with 14 points in 30 minutes. He was also able to get some rest in the final frame.
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth starters took a maintenance day and sat out Monday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to rest nagging injuries.
The Hornets had no answers on the defensive end for Lillard, who shot 50% from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line, while setting up teammates with open looks with penetration and kickouts.
Portis, playing his first game since January 23 after being out following the death of his grandmother, was inserted in the starting lineup and scored 23 points and collected 17 rebounds in 32 minutes.
Taurean Prince added 11 points and Gary Trent Jr. had 13 off the bench. Trent was part of a second unit that included Pat Connaughton, AJ Green, Ryan Rollins and Tyler Smith (who subbed in for Portis) that played the entire fourth quarter and clinched the game.
The Bucks were in control throughout, although the Hornets whittled down some sizeable Milwaukee leads to single digits on numerous occasions in the second half. But each time, the Bucks strung together stops and ran crisp offense on the other end to keep their lead.
Nick Smith Jr. (22 points), KJ Simpson (15) and Miles Bridges (15) were the starters who reached double figures in scoring for Charlotte.
Charlotte was without seven players due to injury, including LaMelo Ball who is still battling an ankle injury. Ball’s primary backup Vasa Micic also sat out, leaving the Hornets particularly young and thin at the point guard spot, which made things incredibly easy for Lillard.
Milwaukee travels to the ATL to play Trae Young and the Hawks on Friday.
The Hornets finish up a nine-game homestand against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
