The Charlotte Hornets improved to 4-1 at home this season as they contained Giannis Antetokounmpo and beat the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Charlotte Hornets (5-3) were able to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks (4-4) as they pushed their winning streak to three games. A huge first half from Kemba Walker and an explosive fourth quarter from Malik Monk led the Queen City team to a statement victory. The Hornets’ bench play helped them overcome 43 points from Khris Middleton.
Even though Nicolas Batum (left elbow) remains out for Charlotte, the team got some good news as he expects to return to playing in the next two to three weeks. Both Michael Carter-Williams (knee soreness) and Julyan Stone (strained hamstring) also sat out. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist left the game in the first quarter and didn’t return due to an illness.
Game Story
Kemba got things going for Charlotte by scoring 20 points in the first half. After three quarters, the game was tied at 88. Malik Monk was unconscious as he scored 18 points in the final period which is the most by any Hornets’ player in the fourth this season. That explosion helped the Hornets push their lead to a game-high 15 points. Charlotte ended up outscoring the Bucks, 38-33, in the fourth. This game featured seven ties and nine lead changes.
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Player of the Game
Malik Monk finished the game with a career-high 25 points on 10-17 shooting. He scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and his 25 points were the second most by a rookie so far this NBA season. (Lonzo Ball, 29p) The Kentucky product also became only the second rookie this year to make 5+ three’s in a single game.
Kemba Walker scored a team-high 26 points for Charlotte while Dwight Howard recorded yet another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Lamb put up 16 points and has now scored 15+ in every game so far this season. Marvin Williams (15), Frank Kaminsky (11) and Dwayne Bacon (10) rounded out the Hornets’ double-digit scorers.
The Bucks were led by Khris Middleton who had a career night with 43 points and seven assists. Malcolm Brogdon chipped in with 20 points while Tony Snell added 17. Giannis Antetokounmpo was held to only 14 points and 13 boards in this one.
Highlight of the Night:
Tweet of the Game:
"Quick Stings"
- Kemba (193) passed Larry Johnson (192) for the most 20-point games in franchise history.
- Walker (110) also passed Glen Rice (109) for the most 25+ point games in Hornets’ history.
- Monk is the first Hornets’ rookie since D.J. Augustin (2009) to make 5+ three’s in one game.
- The Hornets’ bench outscored the Bucks’ second unit, 52-23
- Charlotte outscored Milwaukee, 52-40, in points in the paint.
With the win, the Hornets evens up the season series against the Bucks at 1-1. The two sides will meet in a back to back later this year on December 22nd and 23rd with the first coming in Milwaukee and the second in Charlotte. The Hornets have now beat the Bucks at home for the first time since November 2015.
Next: Hornets pick up fourth-year option on Kaminsky
In their next outing, the Charlotte Hornets will hit the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs for the first time this season. That game will be on Friday, November 3rd at 8:30 p.m. EST. Steve Clifford’s side will be looking to win their fourth straight for the first time since November of last season.