The Milwaukee Bucks might need to play another contest without their star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. According to the latest reports, there is pessimism around the potential for both of them playing in Game 5 against the Pacers.
The Bucks are one loss away from being eliminated after going down 1-3 in the first round series against Indiana. Damian Lillard went down with an injury in Game 3 where the Bucks lost in a OT thriller.
They had to compete without Lillard, who was moving with a boot in his foot. Charania reported that Lillard has made progress but the tiny window Milwaukee has from Game 4 to Game 5 makes his return extremely doubtful.
With Giannis also out, the Milwaukee Bucks do not have enough firepower to compete against the fully-healthy Pacers.
“There is doubt that Bucks All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) and Damian Lillard (Achilles tendon strain) will be able to play in potential elimination Game 5 vs. Pacers on Tuesday down 3-1, sources say. Both have tricky strains that complicate returns and create risk,” Charania posted on X (former Twitter).
If neither of them play when the series returns to Milwaukee for Game 5, it will be up to Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis to save the team’s season. Portis was sent to the locker room early in Game 4 after getting back-to-back technicals. The dynamic forward will return for Game 5.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with this left calf strain that forced him to miss the first four games of the team’s first-round series. He was also sidelined for the Bucks final three regular season games.
