The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a new challenge as they attempt to overcome a 2-1 disadvantage in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers due to a mounting injury list.
Due to a calf issue, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has already missed Milwaukee’s games. Khris Middleton was considered iffy before scoring 42 points in 41 minutes during Friday’s Game 3. Additionally, Damian Lillard, who claimed that his Achilles issue had impeded him during overtime, worsened it near the end of the fourth quarter.
“I just wanted to be on the floor in case opportunity came up or however I could help,” said Lillard. Lillard scored the Bucks in the opening quarter. During a layup attempt, Lillard claimed that Pacers forward Pascal Siakam landed on his heel, twisting his left knee. He lay on the ground for a while before heading to the locker room and finally getting back into the game.
In 45 minutes, Damian Lillard finished with 28 points on 6-of-20 shooting, but he did not attempt a shot and was scoreless in overtime, as per the NBA website. When Middleton made game-tying 3-pointers with two seconds left in the fourth quarter and again with eight seconds left in overtime, he informed Rivers that he intended to remain on the field to act as a decoy for him.
Doc Rivers Provides an Update on Damian Lillard’s Situation
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hasn’t played since suffering a strained left calf on April 9, is already missing from the Bucks lineup. In Game 4 on Sunday, Milwaukee will attempt to tie the playoffs. In light of his coach’s remarks following Friday’s defeat, Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s game seems uncertain.
Coach Doc Rivers of the Bucks stated, “We are just taking a lot of hits right now as far as injury wise,” following his team’s overtime defeat of 121-118.
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After trailing by 19 points in the first half, the Bucks overcame their deficit and led the fourth quarter thanks to consecutive 3-pointers by Damian Lillard. However, Tyrese Haliburton’s shot in overtime helped the Pacers come back and win.
The Bucks will not rush Antetokounmpo back from a left calf strain that prevented him from playing in the final three regular-season games and the opening game of this series, even if they are behind in the series.
