CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a competitive matchup on Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks secured a 112-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Damian Lillard led the Bucks with an impressive performance, scoring 29 points and dishing out 12 assists. Bobby Portis made a notable return to the court after being sidelined since January 23, contributing 23 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. This win marked a much-needed turnaround for the Bucks, who had previously lost four consecutive games, all while adjusting to the absence of their longtime player Khris Middleton due to a recent trade.
Brook Lopez also played a vital role in the triumph, scoring 14 points and hitting four 3-pointers. Charlotte struggled to keep pace, suffering their sixth straight defeat. Nick Smith Jr. delivered a strong effort for the Hornets with 23 points, including four shots from beyond the arc.
The Bucks established a commanding 21-point lead in the third quarter, consistently creating open looks from the 3-point line, taking advantage of a short-handed Hornets squad. Lillard was particularly effective, shooting 9 of 18 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, utilizing his ability to penetrate the defense and assist teammates with high-quality shot opportunities.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup, who was scratched just moments before the game due to calf soreness despite going through warm-ups, Lillard stepped up to fill the gap. His ability to take charge proved instrumental in the Bucks’ success.
In terms of crucial moments, after the Hornets managed to trim the deficit to seven points in the early fourth quarter, Portis responded with consecutive 3-pointers, extending the lead back to 13 points and demoralizing the opposition.
A significant statistic from the game highlights the Bucks’ sharpshooting, as they finished 18 of 42 from 3-point territory, while the Hornets struggled at 11 of 34.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Friday night. The Bucks will visit the Atlanta Hawks, while the Hornets will wrap up a nine-game homestand by hosting the San Antonio Spurs.
