Sunday’s opening game of the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff series against the Indiana Pacers is expected to be played without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are getting ready to start the series sans Antetokounmpo, but they are hoping he will suit up at some point during the first round, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
On April 9, during a 104-91 victory over the Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo sustained an injury. After Boston’s Derrick White made a 3-pointer late in the third quarter, the two-time Kia MVP grabbed his left leg and sat down on the floor before receiving assistance off the court.
One day later, Antetokounmpo was declared ineligible for the Bucks’ last three regular-season games (Milwaukee went 1-2 during that stretch). The Bucks’ poor record versus the Pacers this season (1-4) wasn’t due to Antetokounmpo’s lack of output. In those five games against Indiana, he shot 67.6% and finished with averages of 42.2 points, 13 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
This season, Antetokounmpo is shooting 27.4% from 3-point range and 61.1% overall while averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 rebounds.
Due to Antetokounmpo’s absence, Bobby Portis, a seasoned player and frequently one of the team’s finest reserves, will likely play a more starting lineup for Milwaukee. Portis has been a dependable starter for the Bucks this season (19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.5 spg on 61.1% shooting), if he is forced into that role for the first two games of the series.
Milwaukee can also count on veterans like Danilo Gallinari and Jae Crowder, in addition to Portis, to somewhat make up for the production that Antetokounmpo’s absence has reduced. All-Star guard Damian Lillard, however, will have to carry a heavy burden while the Bucks’ best big man recovers.
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