GAMENOTES: Regular Season Game #48 Charlotte Hornets (12-35) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (26-22) - February 5th, 2025

Hornets young guards show promise and Tidjane Salaun returns from Greensboro

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 102 (12-36) - Milwaukee Bucks 112 (27-22)

THE BOXSCORE

WHY DID THEY LOSE? (AND OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES)

• It was no Giannis, no problem for the bUcks against a Hornets team with an ever growing injury list. The Hornets’ guard combo of NSJ and KJ Simpson (in place for an injured Vasa Micic) looked good on offense but defensively they struggled to keep Milwaukee’s pair of shooting bigs off the 3 point line and Damian Lillard off the free throw line.

• This was the most in command I’ve seen NSJ play in his short NBA career. He finished with 23 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists on 9 of 15 shooting and 4 of 8 from 3. He struggled to guard Lillard without fouling but yeah…it’s Dame. If he can ride this wave of confidence into the summer, continue to build his body and his shot making bag…the Hornets might have something when they are ready to compete.

• KJ Simpson got his first career start and shot 50% from 3!

• Tidjane Salaun returned to the Hornets lineup after a stint in Greensboro. His size is notable next to what’s left of this roster. He went 3 of 8 for 10 points and 4 rebounds. It was a lot of the same for Salaun. Lots of energy. Lots of crazy that went head to head with Bobby Portis’ crazy. Lots of physicality. Questionable shot decisions. Skill issues with his handle. IQ lapses. His 1st trip to Greensboro probably will not be his last.

• If you were looking for a Mark Williams (6p 5r 2a -23) bounce back game you’re going to have to wait until Friday when the Hornets welcome the Spurs. Williams struggled to balance his drop coverage duties with staying close enough to Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis at the 3 point line. Lopez had 4 3PM at the halfway point of the 1st quarter. The Hornets defense didn’t give him much help either. They seemed strangely caught off guard by Brook Lopez’s shooting which he does quite a bit and does it well. Mark had a few good plays offensively off the roll and a few shots outside the restricted area that looked….less pretty. But with only 6 shot attempts and 1 OREB he was an afterthought on offense and a liability on defense for most of the night.

  • Meanwhile his backup, Moussa Diabate, had 10 points and 13 rebounds, was a plus-13 and finished with 2nd highest game score for the Hornets.

NEWS AND NOTES