The season is on the line for the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. They are currently down facing a seemingly insurmountable 3-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers as they head into Game 5 at the Fiserv Forum.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, they will need to try and keep their season alive without their two best players available. This is after both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have been ruled out for Tuesday’s do-or-die clash.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard OUT for Game 5
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers delivered the gutting news just a couple of hours prior to tip-off. Apparently, both Giannis (left soleus strain) and Lillard (right Achilles tendinitis) have not been able to recover in time for Game 5:
Bucks coach Doc Rivers tells reporters that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are both out for Game 5 tonight in Milwaukee. https://t.co/WGxd9SncTR
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 30, 2024
It goes without saying that this is a massive blow for the Bucks — one that could very easily determine their fate this season.
When asked by reporters to provide an update on their progress, Rivers revealed that neither Giannis nor Dame were able to do much during Tuesday’s morning shootaround:
What was Giannis Antetokounmpo able to do today?
Doc Rivers: "Didn't do a lot. Did some shooting again. Did more after I left, to be honest, so I didn't really see it."
What about Damian Lillard?
Rivers: "He didn't do anything." https://t.co/sHBlgl6gvM
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 30, 2024
Rivers did not sound optimistic at all, which is completely understandable. At this point, the Bucks have no other choice but to soldier on in Game 5 with the hope of potentially getting Antetokounmpo and/or Lillard back for Game 6 in Indiana.
Milwaukee will obviously need to win on Tuesday night first in order to extend this series, which in itself is already a gargantuan task with their two superstars sidelined.
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