Damian Lillard delivered 29 points and 12 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112-102 on Wednesday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Milwaukee in its first game since trading Khris Middleton.
Bobby Portis had a dominant return after missing multiple games, finishing with 23 points and 17 rebounds. Brook Lopez added 14 points, hitting four 3-pointers to stretch the floor.
Charlotte was led by Nick Smith Jr., who scored 23 points while hitting four 3-pointers. However, the Hornets struggled to keep up, dropping their sixth straight game.
The Bucks built a 21-point lead in the third quarter, repeatedly getting open looks from deep. They shot 18-of-42 from beyond the arc, compared to Charlotte’s 11-of-34.
Lillard controlled the offense, shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. His ability to break down the Hornets’ defense created easy scoring opportunities for teammates.
Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was scratched just before tipoff due to left calf soreness. Despite his absence, the Bucks remained in control throughout the game.
Lopez set the tone early, knocking down four triples in the first quarter. His shooting forced Charlotte’s Mark Williams out of the paint, creating driving lanes for Milwaukee’s guards.
The Hornets were severely short-handed, missing seven players due to injuries, including LaMelo Ball and backup point guard Vasilije Micic. Their lack of depth made it difficult to contain Lillard.
Charlotte cut the lead to seven early in the fourth quarter before Portis responded with back-to-back 3-pointers. His clutch shooting halted the Hornets’ momentum and sealed the win for Milwaukee.
The Bucks improved to 27-22 with the victory, staying in the mix for a top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets fell to 12-36, remaining near the bottom of the standings.
