The Milwaukee Bucks managed to extend their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs after a gutsy win at home in Game 5. The Bucks managed to get the win despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who are both sidelined with injuries. The Pacers can still close out this series with a win at home in Game 6, but it’s possible Milwaukee gets some help for this contest. Here’s the latest on Antetokounmpo’s and Lillard’s status ahead of Game 6.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard injury updates
Update: According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Antetokounmpo is not going to play while Lillard is in.
Game 6: Antetokounmpo is out, Lillard is in. https://t.co/kaQFv6ZkMQ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2024
Update: Lillard is more likely to play than Antetokounmpo according to head coach Doc Rivers, although both players officially are game-time decisions. Antetokounmpo remains doubtful on the official injury report while Lillard was upgraded to questionable earlier in the day. According to Chris Haynes, Lillard will make his return to the floor tonight.
Update: In a bit of a surprising move, Lillard has been upgraded to questionable for the Bucks. Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting both Antetokounmpo and Lillard are trying to return for Game 6, although it’s unclear if either player will suit up. At the moment, Lillard is trending towards playing while Antetokounmpo still remains doubtful on the official injury report.
Both Antetokounmpo and Lillard remain doubtful according to the official injury report. The initial diagnosis surrounding Antetokounmpo was that he would miss the beginning of the series but could eventually return by the end of it. Game 6 would certainly qualify as near the end of the series, so there’s a good possibility Antetokounmpo does get upgraded during the day. The Bucks have been sneaky with injury reporting and have done this before with Antetokounmpo specifically, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back on the court.
Lillard’s prognosis is much less optimistic, since he played north of 40 minutes on a damaged Achilles in Game 4. The point guard was reportedly dealing with this issue on a much lesser degree during the season but aggravated the problem in that playoff game. He’s far less likely to suit up than Antetokounmpo given the location his injury and his age. An Achilles injury at 33 is not something to mess around with. Milwaukee isn’t going to compromise its championship window for one playoff game.
Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis are going to be the key contributors for Milwaukee in Game 6 regardless of what happens with Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Malik Beasley will also be an important factor, especially if Lillard ends up getting ruled out. Portis and Lopez will take on bigger roles if Antetokounmpo is sidelined again.