Milwaukee Bucks (13-19, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (11-20, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Charlotte, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Miles Bridges and the Charlotte Hornets host Ryan Rollins and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Hornets have gone 10-14 against Eastern Conference teams. Charlotte averages 14.9 turnovers per game and is 5-5 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents.

The Bucks are 11-13 in Eastern Conference play. Milwaukee ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference allowing just 116.0 points while holding opponents to 46.9% shooting.

The Hornets are shooting 45.5% from the field this season, 1.4 percentage points lower than the 46.9% the Bucks allow to opponents. The Bucks are shooting 48.5% from the field, 0.1% lower than the 48.6% the Hornets’ opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the third time this season. The Bucks won the last matchup 147-134 in overtime on Nov. 15, with Kyle Kuzma scoring 29 points in the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bridges is averaging 20.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Hornets. LaMelo Ball is averaging 22.0 points over the last 10 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is scoring 28.9 points per game and averaging 10.0 rebounds for the Bucks. Rollins is averaging 5.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 5-5, averaging 116.3 points, 45.1 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.1 points per game.

Bucks: 4-6, averaging 105.6 points, 42.2 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points.

INJURIES: Hornets: Mason Plumlee: day to day (groin), Grant Williams: out (acl), Ryan Kalkbrenner: day to day (elbow).

Bucks: Taurean Prince: out (neck), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

MILWAUKEE – On Milwaukee’s northwest side Saturday, the season of giving marches on. Restaurant owner Fady Qetarri said, aside from food, his mission is to bring flavor to serving the community.

What they’re saying:

Qetarri owns Krispy’s Fish & Chicken, a business that started in Chicago and found its way to Milwaukee. He said community service is a message that remains true all year round.

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The restaurant’s staff prepared 1,000 meals on Saturday morning. Then, they gave them all away for free outside their shop at 41st and Capitol.

“These are tough days for everybody, especially after the holidays,” said Qetarri.

Free meals given away outside Krispy’s Fish & Chicken

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Qetarri said hosting the community event after Christmas was intentional, as expensive groceries and increased food insecurity remain challenges across the city.

“This community gave us a lot, we’re supposed to return it – today, tomorrow, whatever,” he said. “You’re supposed to appreciate the community, you’re supposed to give back what you get. That’s my message.”

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“It just shows the need, the dire needs of people, and we should all do what we can do to help out,” said Ald. DiAndre Jackson, who helped organize the event.

Milwaukee police officers also showed up and passed out gifts to people waiting outside.

“It means that light still shines over the world,” said Jeffrey Nobles. “He’s being represented very well, even with this chicken.”

MILWAUKEE – The lawsuit two Indiana Pacers fans filed against the Milwaukee Bucks after an incident during the 2024 playoffs is now scheduled to go to trial.

Indiana lawsuit

In Court:

In November, the plaintiffs filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss with prejudice certain claims of their lawsuit against the Bucks, former player Patrick Beverley and former assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer.

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The Bucks filed a motion of their own to dismiss the lawsuit earlier this year, citing “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Court filings dated Dec. 23 show a Marion Superior Court judge denied the Bucks’ motion to dismiss the case.

What’s next:

The case is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 1, 2027.

Ball thrown in stands

The backstory:

A criminal complaint said the women felt physical pain when then-Bucks guard Beverley threw a ball into the stands, hitting them. TNT’s cameras caught the moment Beverley threw a ball at fans twice, just as the Pacers were ending the Bucks’ season last May in Indianapolis.

The lawsuit, filed in Marion County Superior Court in Indiana, alleges Beverley threw the ball so hard it broke one of the women’s necklaces. It also accuses former assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer of “verbally attacking, inciting and provoking Pacers fans” behind the Bucks bench.

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Beverley addressed the incident and apologized on his podcast. He went on to say the fans called him something he’s never been called. The attorney who represents the women said Beverley’s comments hurt his clients’ reputation, esteem, respect and good will.