Milwaukee Bucks fall to Charlotte Hornets 107-96 in season opener

MILWAUKEE  — Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 23 points and 14 rebounds in his return from a shoulder injury, Roy Hibbert added 15 points, and the Charlotte Hornets opened their season with a 107-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.


The Hornets led by as many as 24 points in the third quarter before fending off a late charge from Milwaukee.

The Bucks, who looked lackluster for much of the game, drew energy from Greg Monroe's hustle in the paint and Jason Terry's floater that cut the lead to 93-85 with 5:08 left.

But the Hornets held on down the stretch, getting a straightaway 3 from Marvin Williams for a 12-point lead with 3:21 left.

The 7-foot-2 Hibbert had a couple of rim-rocking dunks in the third quarter that helped build the 20-point lead.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 31 points.