Damian Lillard had 29 points and 12 assists, Bobby Portis had 23 points and 17 rebounds in his first game since Jan. 23 and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets 112-102 on Wednesday night in their first game since trading longtime guard Khris Middleton.

The Milwaukee Bucks community expected to end this week wrestling with the the end of Khris Middleton’s time in cream and green. In the weeks preceding the trade deadline, Middleton was transitioned to a bench role where he showed some promise before the wheels fell off again last week in a pair of scoreless performances.

With the turnaround they’ve had in 2024-25, Milwaukee is being active on the trade market. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis are available for trade. Windhorst noted that the Bucks want an “impact player” in return. Will Milwaukee get a trade done before the deadline on February 6?

Giannis Antetokounmpo had a short but sweet message to Khris Middleton on social media after his longtime teammate was traded earlier in the day.