As we wrote earlier on Saturday, the Bucks‘ injury issues are getting worse before they get better, as there is serious doubt Damian Lillard will be ready for Game 4 against the Pacers due to an Achilles strain, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Charania, who adds that Lillard is currently in a walking boot, notes in a separate tweet that the eight-time All-Star played through significant soreness in his Achilles tendon in recent weeks, which was aggravated in the fourth quarter of Game 3.
The Bucks are now facing the potential of being without both of their superstars – Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard – as they look to even the series at two games apiece.
Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 7.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 35.4% from three on 8.5 attempts per game in his first year with the Bucks.
In the first two games of the series against the Pacers, he scored a combined 69 points. Despite the injury, he played 44 minutes in Game 3 and recorded 28 points and eight assists.
The Pacers lead the series 2-1. The two teams square off again on Sunday, with the Pacers looking to take the series back to Milwaukee with a 3-1 series lead.
They were already done.
This playoffs is really putting the geezers out and I am fine with that.
And keeping warriors in.
Bucks cooked
Hmmmm, it’s as if they should have kept Holiday and not hired perennial playoff loser Doc Rivers.
Doc strained old man Lillians Achilles.l
No, management acquired brittle old man Lillard and burned-out Doc. If they’d kept Holiday and Bud they’d be threats, even with Giannis out for a couple weeks.
That’s ok, once they crash out of the playoffs, Giannis will quietly ask for a trade to my Knicks… so I dream…
It wasn’t the case last year when Giannis missed playoff time…
Jrue is not a 2nd or 3rd option which is what he would have needed to be with the Bucks.
They should have kept Bud, but Jrue had to be moved for something better on offense. Middleton moving could have been the other option.
@Bargzzz Jrue Holiday is a month older than Damian Lillard…..And he is playing terrible for the Celtics right now. You obviously don’t know ball. If they didn’t have Lillard, they would be down 0-3 right now instead of 1-2.
Gee, maybe they SHOULDN’T have played an aging and increasingly injury-prone Lillard down the stretch while battling significant soreness? Yet another stupid team pursuing seeding at the cost of ensuring its older vets would be locked and loaded for the playoffs.
They rolled the dice and lost. Deal with it and waive the white flag.
Middleton back baby !