APRIL 30: Antetokounmpo and Lillard are both out for Tuesday’s Game 5, Rivers told reporters prior the game, Eric Nehm of The Athletic tweets.
APRIL 29: The Bucks are on the verge of elimination and it’s unlikely they’ll have their two best players available for Game 5 of their first-round series with the Pacers. The team is listing both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as doubtful to play on Tuesday, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm tweets.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t played the entire series due to a left calf strain that he suffered late in the regular season. Damian Lillard missed the Bucks’ Game 4 loss on Sunday due to right Achilles tendinitis. Lillard averaged 32.3 points and 5.3 assists in 40.7 minutes per contest during the first three games of the series.
Prior to Game 4, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism that Antetokounmpo could return to action after the superstar went through a rugged workout on Sunday morning. “I think there’s a chance for him to play in this series. I really do,” he said.
Patrick Beverley (right oblique muscle strain) and Khris Middleton (right ankle sprain) are listed as probable to play.
The Pacers’ top player isn’t a lock to suit up, either. Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable due to back spasms, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star tweets.
ffs
Feels kind of lonely w Gino missing. Hope he can recover
What a crazy season. Huge trade for Dame, lose Jrue, but have to be optimistic overall. Griffin hired, fires his assistant, and red lights start going off. Bucks started great, but you could see serious defensive issues developing. Griffey fired, Doc hired and we just knew something wasn’t right. The ship never righted itself and then the injuries really started to mount. Seems kinda like the Covid season where they were expected to win it all and just couldn’t put it together. But the next year…♂️
If they get anything from this postseason, it is that Middleton is looking good again.
gonna have to fire Doc Rivers. how is this guy getting by on 1 championship from 15 years ago? what have you done for me lately Doc? oh that’s right lose in the playoffs when he has 2-1 and 3-2 series leads, perennial early exit.
Docs two superstar players with lots of accrued nba minutes over long nba careers breaking down now is his fault?
Can say the same about him in Philly, LA…he’s a bit overrated.
I think Doc is an awful coach but half a year with an injured roster is nowhere near a fair judgment of his fit.