CHA Hornets vs MIL Bucks: NBA Preseason Preview & How to Watch
The CHA Hornets host the MIL Bucks on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in an NBA preseason showdown at Spectrum Center — tipoff at 7:00 PM ET. It's a fascinating early look at two franchises heading in new directions: Charlotte building around a young core after trading LaMelo Ball, and Milwaukee beginning a full rebuild following the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
This Match Guide covers everything basketball fans need: tipoff details, TV and streaming options, star players to watch, and a full match preview with our prediction.
Match Overview
- Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Hornets
- Competition: NBA Preseason 2026-27
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CDT)
- Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
- TV/Stream: NBA TV, NBA League Pass, DAZN (regional listings vary)
- 2025-26 records: Hornets 44-38 (lost in play-in) | Bucks: rebuilding
How to Watch CHA Hornets vs MIL Bucks
TV Broadcast
- NBA TV: The national home for preseason basketball — check your provider for availability
- Regional networks: Hornets and Bucks local broadcasts typically carry preseason games
- Canada & international: DAZN carries NBA preseason coverage in select markets
Online Streaming
- NBA League Pass: Every preseason game live and on-demand
- DAZN: Available in multiple international regions
- Fubo / YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV: All carry NBA TV for new subscribers with free trials
Mobile Viewing
The official NBA app offers live scores, play-by-play, and highlights — perfect for tracking a preseason game where rotations change fast.
Star Watch
Brandon Miller — CHA Hornets
With LaMelo Ball now in Minnesota, this is Miller's team — and his preseason. The former No. 2 pick is Charlotte's primary scorer and playmaker, and every possession he runs in October tells us something about the Hornets' new offense under Charles Lee.
Naz Reid — CHA Hornets
The centerpiece of the LaMelo Ball trade arrives from Minnesota as the Hornets' new frontcourt anchor. Reid averaged 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds last season and gives Charlotte a stretch-five who can punish drop coverage — a big reason the Hornets pulled the trigger on the deal.
Brayden Burries — MIL Bucks
Milwaukee's rebuild starts with its 2026 draft class. Burries, a 2026 Summer League First Team selection, already looks like the franchise's most intriguing young piece. Expect heavy minutes and plenty of green light against Charlotte.
Tyler Herro — MIL Bucks
The newest Buck gives Milwaukee a proven scorer while the young core develops. Alongside Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., Herro will anchor the veteran minutes in a preseason game otherwise dominated by rookies like Nate Ament.
Match Preview: Hornets vs Bucks
Charlotte's New Era
The Hornets went 44-38 last season — their best record in a decade — before falling to Orlando in the play-in. But the offseason brought a bombshell: LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges were traded, with Charlotte acquiring Naz Reid, two first-round picks (including the No. 14 selection, Hannes Steinbach) and a bundle of pick swaps. Coby White takes over at point guard, rookies Steinbach and Christian Anderson make their home debuts this month, and newcomers Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale add depth on the wings.
The injury room is busy: Kon Knueppel is expected to miss the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, and Grant Williams is also sidelined. That means more reps for Miller — which may be exactly what Charlotte wants to see.
Milwaukee's Blank Page
For the first time in over a decade, the Bucks enter a season without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was traded to Miami. New head coach Taylor Jenkins inherits a roster built for development: rookies Burries and Ament headline the class, while Ryan Rollins (15 points in the preseason opener) and international prospects Bogoljub Marković and Kasparas Jakučionis fight for rotation spots.
Milwaukee opened preseason with a 116-97 home loss to Minnesota, then rebounded to beat Oklahoma City 128-126 on the road. Two games, two wildly different lineups — expect more experimentation in Charlotte.
Key Matchup: Miller vs. Burries
Preseason games are won in the margins, but the individual duel worth watching is Brandon Miller against Brayden Burries — the established scoring wing versus the rookie trying to announce himself. Miller's shot creation against Milwaukee's young, switching defense could produce the game's defining stretch.
Prediction
CHA Hornets 118, MIL Bucks 112. Charlotte's rotation is deeper and more settled, and the home crowd should see Miller take over down the stretch. But in preseason, the real winner is whichever young core looks sharper in the fourth quarter — and both teams have plenty to play for.
Gameday Quick Facts
| Stat | CHA Hornets | MIL Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| Preseason record | 1 game played (Oct 6 vs BKN) | 1-1 |
| Last result | Preseason opener vs Brooklyn | W 128-126 @ OKC |
| Key storyline | Post-LaMelo era begins | Post-Giannis rebuild |
| Coach | Charles Lee (Year 3) | Taylor Jenkins (Year 1) |
| Key injury | Kon Knueppel (hamstring, out) | TBD — rotation experimentation |
| Home opener | Oct 23 vs Atlanta | TBD |
FAQ
Q: When do the CHA Hornets play the MIL Bucks? A: Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
Q: Is this a regular season NBA game? A: No — it's a preseason exhibition. The 2026-27 regular season begins October 20, 2026.
Q: Where can I watch the game? A: NBA TV and regional sports networks carry it in the US; NBA League Pass and DAZN stream it internationally.
Q: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing for the Bucks? A: No. Giannis was traded to the Miami Heat in the 2026 offseason. Milwaukee is rebuilding around rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament.
Q: Is LaMelo Ball still on the Hornets? A: No. Ball was traded to Minnesota for Naz Reid and multiple draft picks. Brandon Miller is now Charlotte's franchise centerpiece.