The Milwaukee Bucks wrapped up their brief two-game season set against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Feb. 20, earning a 139-118 road win at the Smoothie King Center. The result marked Milwaukee’s third straight victory, tying its longest winning streak of the season.
The run is presently the third-longest active streak in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Cavaliers’ seven-game surge and the Pistons’ four-game stretch.
With the win, Milwaukee moved to 24-30 on the season and started the day sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. By picking up their sixth victory in the last seven outings, the Bucks continued their strongest run of the year and chipped away at the deficit in the loss column against several teams ahead of them in the play-in race.
Atlanta, now 27-31, and Charlotte, at 26-31, both dropped games earlier in the day, helping Milwaukee close the gap.
Bucks find their groove against the Pelicans
Feb 20, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Against New Orleans, nine of Milwaukee’s 10 regulars found the scoring column, with AJ Green the lone exception after going 0 for 4 from the field.
Seven Bucks players finished in double figures, led by Cam Thomas with 27 points off the bench, while Kevin Porter Jr. added 25 points and seven assists and Ryan Rollins matched Thomas with 27 of his own. Bobby Portis Jr. chipped in 17, Kuzma scored 14, and both Pete Nance and Ousmane Dieng contributed 10 points apiece to round out the balanced effort.
Balanced Bucks.
🪣 27 PTS – Rollins
🪣 27 PTS – Thomas
🪣 25 PTS – Porter Jr.
🪣 17 PTS – Portis
🪣 14 PTS – Kuzma
🪣 10 PTS – Nance
🪣 10 PTS – Dieng
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 21, 2026
The Bucks committed 15 turnovers, which the Pelicans converted into 25 points and used to keep things close deep into the game. The Bucks finally created separation in the closing minutes, pulling away with a 16-4 burst late in the fourth quarter to put it out of reach.
Feb 20, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Kevin Porter Jr. (7) looses the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The defeat pushed New Orleans to 15-42 on the season. The Pelicans put five scorers in double figures, with Zion Williamson pouring in 32 points.
The Bucks now return to Milwaukee for a favorable two-and-a-half-week stretch, during which they’ll play nine of their next 10 games at Fiserv Forum through March 10. The homestand begins with a Feb. 22 matinee against Toronto and kicks off a demanding six-game run that features five opponents firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race.