As expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo was unable to take part in the Milwaukee Bucks’ practice session on Wednesday yet again. The eight-time All-Star is getting round-the-clock treatment on his nagging calf injury ahead of their first-round Playoffs matchup against the Indiana Pacers but at this point, it is clear that Antetokounmpo is still quite a ways away from being ready to play.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers provided an update on Giannis after Wednesday’s practice, as well as some insight on Damian Lillard, who himself is dealing with multiple injuries heading into the postseason.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Nothing New on Giannis Antetokounmpo Front
When asked by reporters after Wednesday’s practice about Antetokounmpo, Coach Doc got brutally honest about not being able to provide any new information about the Bucks talisman. Apparently, Rivers didn’t even bother asking the medical team about Gianins’ current status:
Do you have an update on Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Doc Rivers: pic.twitter.com/XmG85d1O7e
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 17, 2024
Despite his seemingly nonchalant approach, you can be sure that Rivers has a fairly good idea as to where Antetokounmpo currently is in terms of his road to recovery. Based on Rivers’ comments here, it appears that the former back-to-back MVP isn’t close at all.
Damian Lillard Limited in Practice
There was, however, a bit of good news on Lillard, who himself missed practice on Tuesday for rest purposes. According to Coach Doc, “Dame was on the floor, (but) not live.”
“All the skeleton stuff. All the walkthrough stuff. Some of the shooting. He got some work in,” Rivers said of Lillard’s participation in Wednesday’s practice, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
The Bucks get a day off on Thursday before returning to practice on Friday. At this point, Rivers is optimistic that Lillard will be able to do more by then:
“Yeah. I do. But I don’t know that,” Rivers said. “I expected yesterday, so I don’t know. But I’m assuming. I would be surprised (if he doesn’t practice).”
With Giannis out, it goes without saying that the Bucks will need Lillard to be as healthy as he possibly can against an unrelenting Indiana side.
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