The Milwaukee Bucks (14-20) open the new year with a home game against the Charlotte Hornets (11-22) tonight at Fiserv Forum as they attempt to wrap up the in-season series. The Bucks currently hold a 2-1
lead over the Hornets, having won their last two matchups, and look to start the new year with a win after a gut-punching home loss to the Washington Wizards to end 2025. Despite back-to-back 30+ performances from Brandon Miller, the Hornets are on a two-game skid, falling to the Golden State Warriors after losing to the Bucks.
Where We’re At
Prior to the Washington loss, Milwaukee looked to be trending in the right direction, winning consecutive games for the first time since the fifth game of the season and three out of their last four in total. Even with the loss, there’s reason for optimism, largely because of the team’s improved defensive play, with the Bucks ranking sixth in defensive rating (112.5) over the last five games on the back of stringent paint defence—opponents score just 44.8 points in the paint, good for eighth best in the league during this span. They do need to improve their ball movement, though, ranking 28th in assists (29th in assist percentage at 55.7%) and being far too reliant on individual play to generate shots. Unsurprisingly, their turnover ratio ranks in the bottom ten in the league (23rd).
The Hornets, on the other hand, have hung their hats on offence, ranking second (127.0) in offensive rating over the last five, including fifth in assist percentage (69.1%). They’ve been absolutely scorching from three point land too, leading the league with 18.6 3PM at 43%, and most of this comes from their three-headed monster in LaMelo Ball (24.2 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.4 3PM at 52%), Brandon Miller (23.8 PPG), and Kon Knueppel (18.8 PPG, 4.5 3PM at 62%). In their last meeting, they also destroyed the Bucks on the glass, hauling in 47 total rebounds (including 17 offensive), to just 31 (five offensive) from the Bucks.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Taurean Prince (neck) remains out.
The Hornets will be without Mason Plumlee (groin), Grant Williams (knee), and Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow). Miles Bridges didn’t play against the Warriors after leaving the game against the Bucks with an ankle injury in the first quarter, and is questionable, as is Moussa Diabaté, who’s dealing with a sprained right wrist.
Player To Watch
AJ Green is having a career year so far for the Bucks, averaging 10.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 2.0 APG, while hitting 3.0 3PM at 45%. However, in seven games since returning from injury, his per-game makes have dropped to 2.1, and he’s converting those at just 31% (and just 9/37—24%—if you exclude the 6/11 outlier against the Grizzlies). Against the Hornets, it’s equally concerning. Through three games, Green has put up a meagre 7.0 PPG and 1.3 3PM (33%) in 26.3 MPG. While he’s certainly got his critics, Green’s shooting is invaluable to the Bucks, not only in terms of the points he scores but also in the space he creates for others. This is now quantifiable too, with Green ranking as the Bucks’ best in terms of overall player gravity (4.7), a stat that measures “how much a player pulls defenders towards them above expected, essentially measuring how much attention they draw compared to what the spacing on the floor predicts” (per NBA.com). With the new year offering a fresh start, hopefully Green can get back to his elite distance shooting and put on a show to break free from Charlotte’s shackles.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CST.
