Milwaukee Bucks fans are likely not surprised to hear that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sitting out yet another playoff game. The power forward hasn’t been there for the first two games of post-season action and the last three regular-season games due to a lingering injury. Fans can take comfort in the fact that the Bucks have made it as far into the playoffs as they have without Antetokounmpo.
Cross your fingers and your toes, Milwaukee Bucks fans. The Bucks are off with the Indiana Pacers tonight, Friday, at 5:30 PM ET. Both teams are 1-1 so far, and Antetokounmpo would have really come in handy for the game. With other key players potentially on ice, tonight will be a nail-biter for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks Injury Concern Remaining
The Bucks have become accustomed to injuries as of late. They’ll be missing Giannis Antetokounmpo due to his lingering left calf strain.
Khris Middleton has the entire team collectively “holding their breath,” according to team doctor Rivers, as he may be out of game three as well. Middleton had an injury to his ankle that looked pretty painful and that he played through on Tuesday in the team’s last game against the Indiana Pacers.
Reportedly, Middleton’s ankle got juicier after the game was over, and he has had limited practice since. If the injured Buck doesn’t come back to play, all the responsibility will be on Damian Lillard’s shoulder, who has dealt with his own injuries this season, particularly in the last month.
Past Experience a Sign of Things to Come?
If you’re a betting man (or woman), Damian Lillard is a good go-to because of the injury climate in Milwaukee. Daily fantasy pro-Jimmie Kaylor has Lillard as one of his top NBA DFS picks for Friday. Lillard has been averaging 34.5 points per game in Antetokounmpo’s absence. If Middleton isn’t in the game, that number will likely go up.
This rightfully has Milwaukee Bucks fans anxious as they lost game two, 125-108. However, the Bucks won game one against the Pacers 109-94. Any given Sunday (or Friday), as they say. No pressure, Lillard!
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Injury History
The power forward has had 114 documented injuries since his first injury in 2017, in the fifth season of his career. 37 of those injuries occurred in the 2023–2024 season.
We’ve seen recurring injuries to the knee, Achilles, shoulder, foot, and hamstring. The first mention of his hamstring injury was on March 16th. It’s of note that a soleus injury was added to the lingering hamstring issue on April 9th. The soleus is a specific calf injury for those who were lucky enough not to sit through human anatomy.
Injuries feel less important when you consider the sheer talent of the power forward. Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t played a single game after the regular season, he still has the second highest PPG in the league in post-season games.
For more bomb articles like this one from this author, find them here. Need to catch up on what happened between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in game two on Tuesday? Find that information here.
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