UPDATE: Antetokounmpo is available.
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets with a foot injury and the superstar has been listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup vs. the Knicks. The Bucks have lost six of their last 10 games and desperately need Antetokounmpo, as Damian Lillard (calf) is currently sidelined without a timetable for a return. Currently, the Bucks are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Hawks are only five games behind Milwaukee for that spot. It’s an important seed as the top-six teams in each conference will avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Antetokounmpo has played in 59 games this season and is averaging 30.2 points, 12 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Antetokounmpo leads the NBA with a 36% usage rate this season and his absence would create a huge void for the Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez would operate as Milwaukee’s top players. With Antetokounmpo and Lillard off the floor since the All-Star break, Porter Jr., Kuzma and Lopez lead Milwaukee in usage in that order. Notably, Porter Jr.’s usage has been at a high 32% in this situation. Gary Trent Jr. also would likely be in line for a spot start, after the veteran started in place of Antetokounmpo on Wednesday.
The Bucks are 6-7 with Antetokounmpo inactive this season and with the former MVP’s status in question, Milwaukee almost certainly will be the underdog for Friday’s matchup with the Knicks once the lines for this game are released on DraftKings Sportsbook.
