The Charlotte Hornets could be getting some lucky breaks ahead of their home encounter with the Milwaukee Bucks, slated for Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.

Per the league’s latest injury report, three key Bucks players have already been ruled out, while another is doubtful to suit up.

The biggest headline is the continued absence of eight-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard will be on the shelf for the third consecutive contest, as he remains in the league’s concussion protocols. The 6-foot-2 vet is averaging 26.0 points on .444/.348/.909 shooting splits, 6.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals a night, while offering absolutely zero resistance defensively and becoming such a liability on that end that his absence could actually abet Milwaukee as it faces off against All-Star Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball.

Doc Rivers’ hand-picked Lillard replacement, two-way player Ryan Rollins, is also on the shelf, however. The intriguing 6-foot-4 Toledo product, 22, survived for just a portion of one game as Lillard’s starting replacement before incurring the left shoulder instability that will keep him sidelined for a second straight game. In that matchup, a 99-85 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Rollins scored 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field (but a more encouraging 4-of-7 from long range), five rebounds, five assists, and three assists (against two turnovers).

Former three-time All-Star small forward Khris Middleton, who had initially been expected to be back by now (though not by this reporter), will miss his 13th straight game to start the season as he recuperates from surgeries to both his ankles over the summer. He hasn’t been the same player since his 2021-22 season with the team, and his decline defensively has severely impacted Milwaukee’s formerly elite perimter defense.

Sixth man power forward/center Bobby Portis is listed as doubtful with a right elbow contusion. He also has been on the shelf since the Toronto game. Portis, who’s finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting for the past two seasons, has seen his jumper elude him this year. He’s averaging 12.9 points on .456/.243/.818 shooting splits, 8.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

Eight-time All-NBA superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (right patella tendinopathy) and shooting guard A.J. Green (left shoulder impingement), the latter of whom started in his last two available games, are both considered probable to play through their respective maladies.

Five Hornets players have been ruled out. Two-way players Jared Rhoden and KJ Simpson are with Charlotte’s NBAGL affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Centers Mark Williams (left foot tendon strain) and Nick Richards (fractured right first rib) are both on the shelf, so presumably deep-bench backup Taj Gibson, 39, will draw his sixth consecutive start in their absence.

DaQuan Jeffries is out with a right hand fracture. Most critically for Charlotte’s chances, starting power forward Miles Bridges has been listed as questionable to play through his right knee bone bruise. The 6-foot-7 vet has been out since a November 6 win over the Detroit Pistons. In his eight healthy games this year, he’s averaging 14.6 points on .392/.267/.833 shooting splits, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks a night. He’s a dangerous multi-level scorer traditionally, with significant size and strength, but obviously the shooting hasn’t been there this year. Still, his absence would represent a major blow for the Hornets.

More Bucks: Bucks Zone Expert Predictions for Milwaukee’s Early Clash with Charlotte

HORNETS: OUT – Mark Williams (L Foot), Nick Richards (R Rib), Daquan Jeffries (R Hand), QUESTIONABLE – Miles Bridges (R Knee)

BUCKS: OUT – Damian Lillard (Concussion), Khris Middleton (Bilateral Ankle Surgery), Ryan Rollins (L Shoulder), DOUBTFUL– Bobby Portis (R Elbow), PROBABLE – Giannis Antetokounmpo (R Patella), AJ Green (L Shoulder)

The Hornets and Bucks have been on the opposite ends of the spectrum over the last two games. While the Hornets suffered defeats to the 76ers and the Magic, the Bucks celebrated narrow wins over the Raptors and Pistons.

Both teams have players in the top four in points per game with LaMelo Ball (29.9 and Giannis Antetokounmpo (33.3). Both players have led the charge for their respective teams while dealing with injuries to their teammates and playing shorthanded.

For the Hornets, they got a positive update about Miles Bridges, who is now listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. Bridges was given a two-week timeline, but has a chance of playing just nine days later. Bridges potential availability could be a big help to an undermanned Hornets roster.

As well, the Hornets will have Tre Mann back in the lineup after he missed a game with a back injury. Mann’s presence was missed in the Hornets blowout loss to the Magic on Tuesday. Mann has averaged 14.8 points per game off the bench in 25.1 minutes this season.

For the Bucks, they will be without their second leading scorer in Damian Lillard with a concussion. Lillard has missed the past two games during the Bucks two-game winning streak with the injury. Lillard has averaged 26.0 points per game this season in his 10 appearances.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, they could also be without their third leading scorer in Bobby Portis, who is doubtful for the game with an elbow injury. Portis is averaging 12.9 points per game on the year, while coming off of the bench in 10 of the 11 games played.

With both of those players potentially being out, it could put almost all of the weight on Antetokounmpo’s shoulders to lead the team, as Milwaukee’s bench has been bottom half in the league to start the year.

It will be an early tip-off on Saturday as the game will start at 3:00 p.m est, which is the earliest start time this season for the Hornets. The Hornets were not only swept by the Bucks last year, but they also lost by an average of 29.3 points per game over that span. Potentially this year could be the turn of the tables with the Bucks undermanned.

Key Matchup: Giannis vs Everyone

It’s always been a problem stopping Giannis Antetokounmpo for any NBA team, which is what the Detroit Pistons found out on Wednesday night when Giannis scored 59 points. With that in mind, it certainly isn’t very encouraging that this Hornets team will be able to prevent him from having a monstrous game.

However, since the Bucks are banged up and haven’t given much help to the “Greek Freak,” it might be a smart idea to solely focus on him. Surprisingly, the Hornets have done an okay job with Antetokounmpo in his career, as he’s averaging just 21.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in his 36 career games versus the team.

It’s going to take a total team effort to stop the two-time MVP in the Spectrum Center on Saturday night.

MORE STORIES FROM HORNETS ON SI

Vasilije Micic is out of the Hornets’ rotation, indicating an uncertain future in Charlotte

Comparing Tidjane Salaün’s start to Hornets 2024 NBA Draft targets Castle, Knecht, and Clingan

3 most disappointing Charlotte Hornets players of early 2024-25 NBA season

Charlotte Hornets release 2024-25 City Edition Minted uniform combination