UPDATE: Lillard has been ruled out.
It’s a massive red flag when any player is downgraded on the injury report the day of the game, but especially so when said player is employed by the Bucks and it’s the team’s final contest before the All-Star break. We’ve seen Milwaukee go to comical lengths to get its stars some extra rest already this season, which means I’m at high alert with Damian Lillard, who is now questionable to suit up this evening against Minnesota due to a hamstring issue.
Remember, the Bucks are already without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). If Lillard was to join his teammate in street clothes this evening, it would leave Milwaukee with a gargantuan void to fill. To wit, in Monday’s loss to the Warriors, Lillard not only led the Bucks in points with 38, but his 39.8% usage rate was nearly twice as large as any other player wearing a green uniform.
Let’s assume Lillard does sit. When it comes to beneficiaries, Bobby Portis is the first name that springs to mind. With Lillard and Antetokounmpo off the floor in 2024-25, Portis sports a 30.2% usage rate and he produces a near-elite 1.46 FPTS per minute. Kyle Kuzma is another name to keep an eye on. We’re dealing with microscopic sample sizes here, but since being acquired at the trade deadline, Kuzma owns a 34.4% usage rate in the 45 possessions he’s logged without Milwaukee’s two All-Stars.
Speaking of deadline additions, Kevin Porter Jr. could be in line to start at point guard, if Lillard is unavailable. He played 10.2 minutes in his Bucks debut against Golden State.
