The Milwaukee Bucks are going to try and end a terrible stretch of basketball that has seen them lose five of their last seven games. Fortunately for them, their opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, are going to be without their two superstars, Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
At 38-30, the Bucks are currently the fifth seed in the NBA Eastern Conference, a game behind the hated Indiana Pacers for fourth. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 43-25 and a game behind the Houston Rockets for the second seed in the Western Conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Already Shorthanded
With 14 games remaining in the regular season, there is not much time for Milwaukee to turn their ship around. Unfortunately, though, they are going to have to do so without some valuable pieces on their roster.
Bobby Portis, of course, is in the midst of a 25-game suspension, which he received from the NBA after violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Jericho Sims, who was acquired at the trade deadline for Delon Wright to replace Portis, is out for the rest of the regular season after having surgery on his thumb.
Without any big men on their bench, the Bucks have had to rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez splitting time at center, while Kyle Kuzma plays some power forward. Taurean Prince has been used at power forward during stretches in which head coach Doc Rivers puts in a smaller lineup.
And it has not gone well, hence the 2-5 record in their last seven games.
The Milwaukee Bucks Downgraded Damian Lillard to Questionable
And the injury woes are not exactly getting better for Milwaukee. Per Eric Nehm, who covers the Bucks for The Athletic, All-Star point guard Damian Lillard has been downgraded to questionable for tonight’s matchup with Los Angeles. He had previously been listed as probable:
The Bucks have downgraded Damian Lillard (Right Soleus Soreness) to questionable for tonight’s game, per the team. https://t.co/o3uy0RLz9Y
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) March 20, 2025
As one can see from the post above, Lillard is dealing with right soleus soreness. Fans may recall that Giannis missed the entire Indiana Pacers series in the playoffs last year with a soleus strain.
It is imperative that Milwaukee reaches the NBA Playoffs as healthy as possible this year, so it will be no surprise if Lillard does not play, especially considering the Lakers do not have LeBron or Doncic available.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Former Bucks 2nd Round Pick Sets NBA Record vs Knicks
- Damian Lillard Drops Major Truth Bomb Amid Bucks Offensive Struggles
- “We’re Doomed;” Bucks Fans Do Not Feel Good About Latest Lillard-Giannis Report
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