Mashburn ready to return to court

Earlier this season, the Hornets defeated the Bucks, 91-85, on December 8, 2003 at New Orleans.

On Tuesday, the Hornets activated Mashburn from the injured list. The Kentucky product underwent arthroscopic surgery during training camp to remove loose particles in his right knee, and has yet to see any game action this year for New Orleans.

The 31-year-old Mashburn was the Hornets’ leading scorer during the 2002-03 campaign with a 21.6 points-per-game average. He played in all 82 games last season, including 81 starts, and also posted averages of 6.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

To make room on the roster, New Orleans placed guard Bryce Drew on the injured list

The Hornets come into tonight’s game having won two straight games. On Saturday, Darrell Armstrong scored a career-high 35 points, including the game-winning three- pointer with 1.5 seconds left, to lift New Orleans to a 98-96 win over San Antonio at the SBC Center.

Jamaal Magloire added 17 points in the win for the Hornets, who have won three of their last five games. New Orleans played for the third consecutive game without guard Baron Davis, who is nursing an ankle injury. Steve Smith and P.J. Brown each finished with 12 points in the victory.

Davis is questionable for tonight’s game.

The Hornets are 13-8 as the host this season.

Milwaukee enters tonight’s contest off an emotional win. On Monday, Tim Thomas scored 22 points and Michael Redd added 21, as the Bucks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 93-92, in a back-and-forth battle at the Bradley Center.

The game came down to the final possession, as Tim Duncan drove the lane and threw down a slam dunk at the buzzer for what looked like a San Antonio win. However, the referees reviewed the play and ruled that the play clock read double-zero and the red light went off before the ball left Duncan’s hands.

Desmond Mason finished with 14 points in the win for Milwaukee, which has won three straight games. Brian Skinner posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bucks, who have lost two straight on the road, are 7-14 as the visitor this season.

The Hornets have won two of three and three of the last five meetings with Milwaukee, which has lost two straight and three of its last four at the Hornets.