With the NBA All-Star break in the rearview mirror and the trade deadline now a memory, the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans squared off at the Smoothie King Center on February 20, 2026, in a matchup brimming with intrigue and opportunity for both sides. Neither team has enjoyed the season they envisioned, but with the home stretch underway, every contest takes on added significance—and this one didn’t disappoint.
Entering the night, the Bucks stood at 23-30, holding 11th place in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans languished near the bottom of the West at 15-41. Both teams came in shorthanded—Milwaukee missing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) for the tenth straight game, Myles Turner (right calf strain), Taurean Prince (neck surgery), and Alex Antetokounmpo (G League assignment). New Orleans, meanwhile, was without Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), Yves Missi (left calf strain), Micah Peavy (right great toe sprain), Trey Murphy III (right shoulder contusion), Trey Alexander, and Hunter Dickinson (both G League assignments). It was a battle of attrition, with depth and adaptability set to play pivotal roles.
The Bucks, fresh off a gritty win in Oklahoma City before the break, were riding a wave of renewed optimism. New additions Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng had injected much-needed spark and versatility, while Kevin Porter Jr. and breakout star Ryan Rollins continued to shoulder the offensive load. Rollins, in particular, was on a tear, and the night would prove to be a career-defining one for the young guard.
From tipoff, the game had all the makings of a shootout. The Bucks, despite their depleted frontcourt, leaned heavily on perimeter shooting and ball movement. Rollins came out firing, dropping 16 points in the first half and keeping Milwaukee’s offense humming. Cam Thomas, a former LSU standout, thrived in his return to Louisiana, pouring in 27 points off the bench in just 21 minutes, demonstrating the scoring punch that made him a prized acquisition on the buyout market. Kevin Porter Jr. added 25 points, orchestrating the offense with poise and aggression.
By halftime, the Bucks held a narrow 71-65 lead, with Rollins and Thomas combining for a formidable scoring duo. The Pelicans, for their part, leaned heavily on their franchise cornerstone, Zion Williamson. The Duke product, enjoying one of his healthiest stretches as a pro, was relentless, amassing 21 points by the break and finishing with a game-high 32. With Trey Murphy III sidelined, the offensive burden fell squarely on Williamson’s broad shoulders. Saddiq Bey and rookie Derik Queen provided support, but New Orleans struggled to keep pace as the night wore on.
Defensively, both teams’ vulnerabilities were on full display. The Bucks, ranked 27th in points per game and plagued by injuries to their interior defenders, struggled to contain Williamson’s forays into the paint. However, their perimeter defense, often a weakness, held up just enough to force the Pelicans into tough shots. The Pelicans, meanwhile, continued their season-long struggles on the defensive end, allowing opponents to shoot efficiently from deep and giving up too many second-chance opportunities.
The third quarter saw Milwaukee stretch their lead to 103-96, but New Orleans refused to go quietly. Early in the fourth, Williamson powered in a layup to cut the deficit to 108-102, giving the home crowd hope that a rally was in the cards. Yet, that hope was quickly dashed as the Bucks responded with a decisive 14-4 run. Pete Nance, often overlooked in the Bucks’ rotation, stepped up with two clutch three-pointers and a layup during the surge, extending the lead and putting the game out of reach.
By the final buzzer, Milwaukee had secured a dominant 139-118 victory—marking their third straight win and sixth in their last seven outings. The triumph pushed their record to 24-30, keeping their postseason hopes alive and providing a much-needed boost of confidence as they gear up for the final stretch. The Pelicans, meanwhile, dropped to 15-42, their playoff aspirations all but extinguished, but with young talent like Queen and Fears showing flashes, the future isn’t entirely bleak.
Rollins’ performance was the story of the night. He set a career-high with seven made three-pointers, finishing 7-of-10 from beyond the arc and tallying 27 points, six assists, four steals, and two blocks. "Rollins was just fantastic tonight—his shooting opened up everything for us," said Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, visibly pleased with his guard’s breakout effort. Thomas’ 27-point outburst off the bench provided the scoring depth Milwaukee desperately needed in Giannis’ absence. Porter Jr. continued his steady play, while Nance’s timely contributions underscored the Bucks’ improved depth and resilience.
For New Orleans, Williamson’s 32 points were a testament to his ongoing development and durability this season. "Zion’s been our anchor, especially with so many guys out," said Pelicans interim coach, who praised the big man’s consistency and effort. Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen chipped in, but without Murphy’s perimeter shooting and Murray’s playmaking, the Pelicans simply couldn’t match Milwaukee’s firepower.
This game also provided a glimpse into the evolving identities of both franchises. The Bucks, once heavily reliant on Antetokounmpo, are discovering new ways to win behind a collective effort and emerging young stars. The Pelicans, mired in a disappointing campaign, are looking for silver linings and building blocks for the future. As the Bucks look to keep their hot streak alive with a home date against Toronto on Sunday, and the Pelicans prepare to host Philadelphia, both teams will continue to adjust and adapt in the face of adversity.
In the end, the Bucks’ ability to overcome injuries and lean on their bench proved decisive. Rollins’ shooting, Thomas’ scoring, and Porter Jr.’s steady hand were simply too much for a depleted Pelicans squad. For Milwaukee, the win not only keeps their playoff hopes flickering but also signals the emergence of a new core capable of carrying the torch while their superstar recovers. For New Orleans, the night was another tough lesson in a season full of them—but with Williamson leading the way, there’s still hope for brighter days ahead in the Big Easy.