Game Details
- Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PST).
- Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- TV/Streaming: FDSWI, Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+.
This interconference matchup is the second meeting of the season between the Bucks and Pelicans, with Milwaukee winning the first 141-137 in overtime on February 4, 2026, at home. The Bucks enter post-All-Star break on a hot streak, winners of four of their last five, while the Pelicans have split their last four but remain near the bottom of the West. With key injuries on both sides, this could be a gritty, low-scoring affair influenced by tanking considerations for draft positioning.
Recent Team Forms
The Bucks are 7-3 in their last 10 games, averaging 114.2 PPG while allowing 109.8 PPG for a +4.4 differential. The Pelicans are 3-7 over the same span, averaging 112.7 PPG and conceding 118.9 PPG for a -6.2 differential.
Milwaukee Bucks Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Feb 12, 2026 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W | 110-93 | Balanced attack; seven in double figures, held OKC to 93 points. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | @ Orlando Magic | W | 116-108 | Strong shooting (48.1% FG); overcame 20 turnovers. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | @ Orlando Magic | L | 99-118 | Defensive struggles; allowed 118 points on 50% shooting. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W | 105-99 | Clutch defense in fourth; limited IND to 99 points. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | W | 141-137 (OT) | High-scoring OT thriller; Rollins 27 PTS led comeback. |
The Bucks have won four of five, showing improved defense (holding opponents under 110 in three straight) despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
New Orleans Pelicans Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Notes |
| Feb 11, 2026 | vs. Miami Heat | L | 111-123 | Defensive lapses; allowed 123 points, 13 turnovers. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W | 120-94 | Dominant win; Murphy 21 PTS, held SAC to 94. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W | 119-115 | Bey 30 PTS, 9 REB; overcame 16 turnovers. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L | 137-141 (OT) | Murphy career-high 44 PTS (12 3PM); close OT loss. |
| Feb 2, 2026 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L | 105-112 | Struggled rebounding; allowed 112 on 48% shooting. |
The Pelicans are 2-3 in their last five, with wins over sub-.500 teams but losses highlighting defensive issues (allowing 120+ in two defeats).
Injury Report
Injuries loom large, particularly for the Bucks without their superstar, potentially tilting the game toward New Orleans’ depth.
Milwaukee Bucks:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Out (Right Calf Strain) – Close to return but sidelined; no firm timeline.
- Taurean Prince: Out (Neck Surgery) – Out until at least March.
- Myles Turner: Out (Right Calf Strain).
- Ryan Rollins: Out (Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis).
- Alex Antetokounmpo: Out (G League – Two-Way).
New Orleans Pelicans:
- Dejounte Murray: Out (Right Achilles Rupture) – Out until at least late February.
- Trey Murphy III: Doubtful (Right Shoulder Contusion) – Ruled out for recent games; status uncertain.
- Yves Missi: Out (Left Calf Strain).
- Micah Peavy: Out (Right Great Toe).
- Trey Alexander: Out (G League – Two-Way).
- Hunter Dickinson: Out (G League – Two-Way).
Without Giannis and Murray, both offenses could struggle, leading to reliance on secondary scorers like Zion Williamson for NOP and Ousmane Dieng for MIL.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans) vs. Bucks Frontcourt (e.g., Ousmane Dieng or Bobby Portis): Williamson averages 24+ PPG and could dominate Milwaukee’s depleted bigs without Giannis. Expect him to attack the rim aggressively.
- Ryan Rollins (Bucks) vs. Pelicans Guards (e.g., Saddiq Bey): With Rollins out (foot), look for Kyle Kuzma or AJ Green to step up against NOP’s backcourt, which lacks Murray’s playmaking.
- Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) vs. Bucks Wings: If Murphy plays (doubtful), his shooting (career-high 44 PTS vs. MIL) could exploit Milwaukee’s perimeter defense. Otherwise, Bey (30 PTS vs. MIN) takes the spotlight.
- Ousmane Dieng (Bucks) vs. Pelicans Bigs (e.g., Yves Missi out, so backups): Dieng’s recent double-double (19 PTS, 11 REB vs. OKC) faces a thin NOP frontcourt; rebounding battle key.
These matchups favor interior play, with potential for high rebound totals given the absences.
Series History
The Pelicans lead the all-time series 29-21 in 50 regular-season games.
In the last 10 head-to-heads, Milwaukee is 8-2, including a three-game win streak. This season, the series is 0-1 (Bucks win):
- February 4, 2026: Bucks 141-137 (OT) (at Milwaukee) – Murphy 44 PTS for NOP, Rollins 27 for MIL.
Games have been high-scoring recently (average total: 245 points in last three).
Betting Trends
- New Orleans is 30-25-1 ATS this season but 2-1 ATS as 3.5+ point favorites. Milwaukee is 24-29 ATS overall and 9-12 ATS as 3.5+ point underdogs. The over has hit in 6 of the last 10 Bucks-Pelicans games, but under in four of New Orleans’ last five home games. Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last five.
Game Odds
Milwaukee Bucks 225.5
New Orleans Pelicans – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 19, 2026
