The NBA regular season presents a critical battle between two struggling franchises as the Milwaukee Bucks (13–19) travel to face the Charlotte Hornets (11–20) on Monday, December 29, 2025. The game will be held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. With both teams well below the .500 mark and the season moving past its midpoint, this contest carries significant weight for morale and potential playoff positioning.
Injury Report and Its Impact on Team Rotations
The availability of key players will heavily influence the dynamics of this game. Both squads are dealing with significant injury woes, which will test their depth and force stars to carry heavier loads.
The Milwaukee Bucks will be without several players. Alex Antetokounmpo, Pete Nance, Taurean Prince (recovering from neck surgery), and Mark Sears are all ruled out. A major concern is the status of Gary Trent Jr., who is listed as questionable due to a left calf contusion. His potential absence would deprive the Bucks of a reliable perimeter shooting threat and a trusted defender for extended minutes.
The Charlotte Hornets' injury list is even more daunting. Confirmed absentees include Ryan Kalkbrenner (left elbow sprain), Kon Knueppel (right ankle sprain), Mason Plumlee (right groin strain), Antonio Reeves, KJ Simpson, and Grant Williams (right knee surgery). Sion James is questionable due to an illness. This has decimated Charlotte's frontcourt, placing immense responsibility on Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, who both recorded double-doubles in their recent win over Orlando.
Recent Form and Key Matchup Notes
Both teams are entering this contest with some positive momentum from recent victories. The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a losing streak with a 112-103 road win against the Chicago Bulls on December 27. The return of Giannis Antetokounmpo from a calf issue provided a much-needed stabilising force for their offense.
The Charlotte Hornets are also coming off a win, having defeated the Orlando Magic 120-105 on December 26. The victory was spearheaded by star guard LaMelo Ball, who contributed 22 points.
Analyzing the matchup reveals intriguing statistical battles. The Bucks average 112.7 points per game, which ranks near the bottom of the league. However, they shoot a respectable 48.5 percent from the field. This efficiency could be sustained against a Hornets defense that allows opponents to shoot 48.6 percent. A decisive factor may be rebounding, where Charlotte holds a clear advantage, grabbing 44.6 rebounds per game compared to Milwaukee's 40.5. Second-chance points could be a major swing factor in a close game.
How to Watch, Odds, and Final Prediction
Fans can catch the game live on television via FanDuel Sports Network Extra (South), FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, and WAXN. Streaming options include NBA League Pass and Fubo. Local radio broadcasts will also be available for both teams.
According to the odds released on December 28, the Milwaukee Bucks are favored by 3 to 3.5 points on the road. The over/under total for the game is set at 227.5 points. While the Bucks are slight moneyline favorites, betting trends indicate most public money is leaning towards the Hornets to cover the spread or win outright.
Charlotte's recent games have trended towards high scores, and Milwaukee has faced challenges in away games. The combination of key injuries and the desperate need for a win for both teams sets the stage for a tightly contested affair. Our prediction anticipates a narrow victory for the Milwaukee Bucks, 117–114. However, if Gary Trent Jr. is unable to play for Milwaukee, Charlotte's chances of covering the spread or even pulling off an upset increase significantly.
