The Milwaukee Bucks (19-6) will take on the Houston Rockets (7-18) on Sunday night at 6:00 PM CST. Milwaukee is second in the Eastern Conference while Houston is dead last in the Western Conference. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Bucks will once again be close to full strength in this game. The only two players listed on the injury report are Joe Ingles (ACL) and Wesley Matthews (health and safety protocols).
Here is the Bucks injury report for tonight’s game in Houston.
OUT:
Joe Ingles (left ACL surgery)
Wesley Matthews (health and safety protocols)— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 11, 2022
Related: Things to Watch in Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets
Joe Ingles Nearing Return?
The NBA and Milwaukee Bucks fans appear to be close to seeing the team at full strength. Over the past week, Ingles has been sent to practice with the Wisconsin Herd, the G-League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks have assigned Joe Ingles, MarJon Beauchamp and Jordan Nwora to the Wisconsin Herd, per the team.
Second assignment for Ingles as he makes his way back to the court.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 10, 2022
This is the same process that three-time All-Star Khris Middleton went through while he was nearing his return to the team following offseason wrist surgery.
Another positive sign that Ingles is close to coming back is that he has been filmed working out on the court prior to Bucks games:
Joe Ingles out on the floor going through a pregame workout with Patrick St. Andrews tonight. pic.twitter.com/O9102feW79
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 8, 2022
Of course, the Bucks signed Ingles to a one-year $6.5 million this past offseason. When he returns to play, he will be an immediate sharpshooter off the bench for the Bucks. Ingles, in his career, has made over 40% of his three-point attempts.
It will be interesting to see how Ingles’ return will affect the playing time of others. Jordan Nwora, for example, has barely seen any playing time since Middleton returned from his injury. Wesley Matthews, too, has seen his minutes diminish as the season has gone on. Of course, it will take a while for Ingles to get up to game speed, just as it is still taking Middleton a little bit of time.
However, the Bucks being at full force by the time the Playoffs hit will be very exciting.
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