The Milwaukee Bucks head into Game 4 Sunday against the Indiana Pacers dealing with significant injuries to their star core. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the team’s top two players, are both on the injury report ahead of this pivotal first-round contest. Milwaukee is down 2-1 in the series after a tough overtime loss in Game 3. Will the Bucks have their stars for Game 4? Here are the latest updates.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard injury updates
Update: Antetokounmpo and Lillard have both officially been ruled out for the Bucks. It feels like Malik Beasley should get the start in the backcourt, but Milwaukee has run some odd rotations during the postseason. AJ Green might get a look, but the Bucks could also go bigger with Pat Connaughton. In any case, the Bucks are down both their stars in what feels like a must-win game.
Both Antetokounmpo and Lillard are listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game, which suggests neither will play. Antetokounmpo’s status might change after a workout, but head coach Doc Rivers did not seem optimistic about the forward’s chances to play. Antetokounmpo has missed six games as he recovers from a calf strain.
Lillard played 45 minutes in Game 3 despite suffering a leg injury early in the contest. It turns out the point guard actually aggravated an Achilles injury he had been nursing for much of the season. We’ll see how costly the decision to power through that issue in Game 3 was depending on how the series plays out.
With both stars set to miss out, Khris Middleton becomes the focal point of this offense. Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, AJ Green and Bobby Portis will all have to take on bigger roles and shoulder some additional responsibility, but I think Brook Lopez should get more involved in this game. Both he and Middleton are veterans who can adapt to the situation better and make the most of this opportunity. Middleton, by the way, is considered probable as he powers through an ankle issue.