After it was reported that both Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were not going to play in Tuesday’s must-win Game 5 bout against the Indiana Pacers, fans were quick to count the Bucks out.
Well, an undermanned Milwaukee side just proved that they still have a lot of fight left in them after their surprising 115-92 blowout win in Game 5. This series is not over.
Milwaukee Bucks Achieve Epic Feat in Game 5 Demolition Job of Pacers
To say that the odds were stacked against the Bucks in this one would be an understatement. In fact, no other team in the history of the NBA has ever won a playoff game with their top two scorers sidelined. That long-standing record was shattered on Tuesday night courtesy of Khris Middleton and Co.
Wild, but true:
With Giannis and Damian Lillard out, the Bucks become the first team EVER to win a playoff game without their top-2 scorers from the regular season. H/t @StatsWilliams
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 1, 2024
Middleton went off in this one with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. He’s actually been playing through an ankle issue that had him listed on the injury report for Game 5. The three-time All-Star soldiered on, though, and he produced a gem of a performance when the Bucks needed it the most.
Bobby Portis also made his impact felt in this one. The veteran clearly wanted to make amends after getting himself ejected in the first quarter of their Game 4 loss. Portis responded by logging a massive 29-point, 10-rebound double-double in 39 minutes of play.
It remains unclear if Giannis and/or Lillard will be ready for Game 6, but what the Bucks proved on Tuesday night is that they are very much capable of handling the Pacers even without their two best players.
Can they do it again on Thursday in Indiana? We shall soon find out.
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