The Milwaukee Bucks struggled big time against the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs and Giannis Antetokounmpo believes it is because of the absence of Bobby Portis.
The Bucks lost by 26 points to their hosts after they lost their way late in the third quarter. Wembanyama had a feast with 30 points and 14 rebounds, with five out of 11 shooting from three point line.
Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez alternated in guarding the unicorn sophomore but for the Greek Freak, who more than held his own with his 35 points, they could have used a guy like Portis.
“My calves hurt. Not having Bobby, for sure, my calves hurt,” Antetokounmpo said when asked reporters about impact of the back up center’s absence.
“It gives us a different dimension to our team. Offensively, it unlocks a lot of things for us. And, also, defensively, he can put his body (on people), he can be physical, get rebounds for us. Definitely, we miss not having him.”
Portis has been part of the core trio of big men that the Bucks use in their rotation since arriving in Wisconsin in 2020. Him, Giannis, and Brook Lopez take turn in guarding the front court.
He hasn’t been with the team in the last four games, all on the road, and the Bucks went 1-3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez will continue to work harder
“We miss Bobby. We miss his size. We’re not deep in that position,. We have two 5s, one 4 and one of them out, it really stretches you. You’re forced to play small ball every night, and really just extending guys’ minutes that you don’t want to extend,” Doc Rivers said about Portis.
Unfortunately for him, he will have to play with the available cards he got as Portis will remain out for the team.
The latest injury report from Bucks writer revealed the 29-year-old forward is yet to join the team.
He is out for the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the first of a back-to-back, still for personal reasons.
The list of probable players is long, too.
Antetokounmpo is joined on the list by Damian Lillard due to left groin soreness, Lopez, who was limited against San Antonio (back soreness), Khris Middleton, Taurean Prince, and Gary Trent Jr.
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