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    • Giannis approaches triple-double as Bucks lead Hornets 63-59 at halftime
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    Giannis approaches triple-double as Bucks lead Hornets 63-59 at halftime

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    CHARLOTTE — The Milwaukee Bucks will try to win their third straight game when they take on the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

    The Bucks (4-8) have won two in a row without stars Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, while the Hornets (4-7) have lost two in a row.

    The Bucks made eight of their 16 three-point attempts in the first half and took a 63-59 lead over the Hornets at halftime. Seven different players made a triple for Milwaukee. Andre Jackson Jr. did a great job defending Charlotte star LaMelo Ball (1-for-5 from the field, two assists) in the first half, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 18 minutes.

    In 11 minutes of action, Antetokounmpo scored six points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists to help the Bucks take a 39-33 lead after the first quarter. Antetokounmpo has yet to record a triple-double this season. Josh Green scored 10 points for the Hornets.

    Both teams shot the ball well, with the Bucks making 6 of 9 three-pointers and the Hornets making 6 of 11.

    Yes. Giannis Antetokounmpo likely started the day playing as he continues to suffer from soreness in his right knee. He’s coming off a 59-point performance against Detroit on Wednesday night.

    Lillard reported concussion-like symptoms and entered the NBA’s concussion protocol Monday night after being hit in the head during Sunday’s game against Boston. He didn’t make the trip to Charlotte.

    “I don’t think it’s a problem; he’ll pass the test at some point,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before the Hornets game. “We were hopeful though. We thought it would be a one-match affair, but that’s not the case. They set these parameters to protect the players from themselves, really, and that makes a lot of sense.”

    Lillard was accidentally hit in the face by a referee who waved a late shot after time expired in the third quarter of the Bucks’ loss to the Celtics. He played nearly seven minutes in the fourth and went 0-for-2 from the floor. He reported a headache on Monday.

    Lillard was publicly entered into the NBA concussion protocol via the Bucks on Monday at 8:16 p.m. and was immediately ruled out for Tuesday’s game, but he was benched for that game. There was some belief he could be available against the Pistons, but he was ruled out Wednesday afternoon and did not attend that game.

    More: Lori Nickel: As the Bucks move the ball more, emphasis on Khris Middleton-inspired passing is appropriate

    Under the NBA concussion policy, if a player is diagnosed with a concussion, he must be monitored for 24 hours and may begin physical activity after that period. He “may not return to full participation without restriction: (i) for at least 48 hours after the time of the injury; and (ii) until he has completed the required return to participation process.”

    Read the 2024-25 NBA Concussion Protocol

    The game starts at 2:00 PM on FanDuel Sports Network with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.

    • Khris Middleton, out (surgery on both ankles)Rivers: “The concern is that Khris – that hasn’t changed – we want to make sure Khris is healthy. He does whatever he has to do to make it. He just hasn’t managed to get on the floor yet. Don’t know. Of course I wish everyone could play. We would love that for our team, that it would go so well, because I can’t do anything about it.’
    • Damian Lillard, out (concussion protocol)
    • Ryan Rollins, out (left shoulder instability)
    • Bobby Portis Jr., available (right elbow contusion)Remark: Portis underwent a warm-up and it was determined he could play against the Hornets.
    • AJ Groen, available (left shoulder impingement)
    • Giannis Antetokounmpo, available (right patella tendinopathy)
    • Guards: Delon Wright, Andre Jackson Jr.
    • Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurus Prince
    • Center: Brook Lopez

    The Bucks are 3.5-point favorites over the Hornets and the over/under for the game is 216.5 points, per BetMGM.

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