The Milwaukee Bucks opened their NBA Summer League campaign with a commanding 110-91 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on July 16, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Bucks’ depth and perimeter shooting proved too much for a young Hornets squad that struggled to contain Milwaukee’s second-half surge.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a fast-paced first quarter that ended with the Hornets clinging to a 28-27 lead. However, Milwaukee’s bench unit took control in the second period, outscoring Charlotte 32-20 to build a 59-48 halftime advantage. The Bucks never looked back, extending their lead to as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter.

The Hornets, led by second-year guard Da’Shawn Miles, fought valiantly but were undone by 17 turnovers and a 38% shooting performance from beyond the arc. Milwaukee, meanwhile, shot 52% from the field and drilled 14 three-pointers.

Key Performers

• Milwaukee Bucks: Rookie forward Jaylen Briggs posted a game-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. Guard Marcus Whitfield chipped in 18 points and 8 assists, while center Andre Holton controlled the paint with 12 points and 11 boards.
• Charlotte Hornets: Da’Shawn Miles led all scorers with 26 points (10-of-21 FG), though he committed 5 turnovers. Second-round pick Isaiah Timmons contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.

Tactical Story

The Bucks’ offense flowed through Whitfield’s pick-and-roll reads, which consistently found cutters or open shooters. Charlotte’s defense often collapsed inside, leaving Milwaukee’s shooters clean looks from deep – they connected on 14 of 32 three-point attempts. Defensively, Milwaukee switched aggressively on screens, forcing the Hornets into isolation plays that rarely created high-percentage chances.

Head coach Adrian Griffin Jr. praised his team’s execution: “We wanted to push the pace and make them guard in space. When we move the ball like that, we’re tough to beat.”

Turning Point

With Charlotte trailing by just six early in the third quarter, Whitfield ignited a 14-2 run with two three-pointers and a steal that led to a fast-break dunk. The Hornets called timeout but never recovered, as Milwaukee’s lead ballooned to 18 points by the end of the period.

Impact and Next Steps

The win gives Milwaukee an early 1-0 record in the Summer League standings, while Charlotte drops to 0-1. Both teams will play again within the next 48 hours – the Bucks face the San Antonio Spurs, while the Hornets take on the New York Knicks. For Charlotte, tightening their defensive rotations and protecting the ball will be priorities.

This Summer League contest offered a glimpse of promising talent on both sides, with Milwaukee’s rookies showing NBA-ready skills and Charlotte’s young core flashing offensive firepower that still needs refinement.