Bucks, Pelicans Clash with Depleted Rosters

Injuries sideline stars as teams battle for playoff positioning

Feb. 20, 2026 at 11:20pm

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The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans will face off on February 20, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center, with both teams missing several key players due to injuries. This matchup will test the depth and adaptability of the two squads as they navigate shortened rotations and try to maintain their playoff positioning.

Why it matters

The Bucks and Pelicans are both contending for postseason berths, so this game could have significant implications for the standings in the Eastern and Western Conferences. How the teams manage their injury-depleted rosters will be crucial in determining the outcome and potentially shifting the playoff picture.

The details

The Bucks will be without several starters, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, while the Pelicans are missing Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Both teams will need to rely on their bench players and role players to step up and fill the void left by the injured stars.

  • The game will take place on February 20, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

A star forward for the Milwaukee Bucks who is sidelined with an injury.

Khris Middleton

A key player for the Milwaukee Bucks who is also out due to injury.

Brandon Ingram

A star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans who is missing the game due to injury.

Zion Williamson

A talented young player for the New Orleans Pelicans who is unable to participate in this matchup because of an injury.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to have to dig deep and find a way to win this game without our top players. It's going to take a total team effort.”

— Mike Budenholzer, Head Coach, Milwaukee Bucks (The Times)

“Injuries are part of the game, but it's still frustrating to be missing some of our best guys. We're going to have to rely on our depth and get contributions from everyone on the roster.”

— Willie Green, Head Coach, New Orleans Pelicans (The Times)

What’s next

The results of this game will impact the playoff standings in both conferences, and fans will be eager to see how the Bucks and Pelicans manage their injury-depleted rosters.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Bucks and Pelicans highlights the importance of roster depth and adaptability in the NBA. Injuries can significantly impact a team's performance, and the ability to overcome these challenges will be crucial for both squads as they push for the playoffs.