After Shams Charania reported earlier today that Damian Lillard‘s availability for Game 4 of the Bucks‘ series with Indiana is uncertain, head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that the star guard is dealing with an Achilles strain, telling reporters that Lillard underwent an MRI.
Rivers didn’t know the results of that MRI when he spoke to the media, but he indicated that he isn’t necessarily counting on having Lillard available on Sunday, per Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Not looking great, but we don’t know yet,” Rivers said.
As for the Bucks’ other injured star, Rivers said that Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) will be working out “hard” on Sunday morning and that the team would “make a decision” on him after that (Twitter link via Jamal Collier of ESPN).
Asked if Antetokounmpo could be available for Game 4 following his Sunday morning workout, Rivers replied, “I doubt it, but we’ll see.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- In addition to missing Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Josh Richardson due to injuries, the Heat will be without guard Delon Wright for Game 3 vs. Boston on Saturday as a result of a personal family matter, the team announced (via Twitter). Wright provided a spark off the bench in the first two games of the series, averaging 11.0 PPG on 63.6% shooting in 22.8 MPG.
- Keith Smith’s latest offseason previews for Spotrac cover the Raptors and the Hornets. Locking up Scottie Barnes to a rookie scale extension and Immanuel Quickley to a free agent contract will top Toronto’s to-do list this summer, while Charlotte will focus on building around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, with a decision to make on unrestricted free agent Miles Bridges.
- In a mailbag looking ahead to the Hornets‘ summer, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer answers questions on whether the team would consider trading Ball, what Tre Mann‘s role in Charlotte will look like going forward, and what qualities the front office is seeking in its new head coach, among other topics.
If J-Dub can’t come back for OKC then this might be the time for Gordon Hayward to step up… but it’s looking like it’s his “twin” J-Will that’s picking up the slack early on
Really? Heat finally played Delon, and now in a situation where he’s ridiculously needed, they won’t have him again. The Kyle trade continues to be a killer for the Heat. Should have converted Jamal Cain, or signed someone else, like Justin Champagnie or some other similar option, instead of Patty Mills, who makes no sense on this roster
Trade LaMelo? No way they get value for him right now with his injury history.