Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Friday’s Sport 3 in opposition to the Indiana Pacers as he continues to rehab a left soleus pressure, the workforce introduced.
Antetokounmpo has already missed the primary two video games of the Bucks’ first-round sequence in opposition to the Pacers due to the left calf harm he suffered in opposition to the Boston Celtics on April 9.
Equally to Sport 2, Antetokounmpo was initially listed as uncertain earlier than being dominated out the day of the sport, however earlier than he went by way of a pregame warmup to check out the harm.
“He did a variety of flooring stuff at this time, most likely probably the most I’ve seen,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned following follow Thursday afternoon. “He was capturing and shifting at this time.”
Whereas that’s the most bodily exercise Rivers has detailed Antetokounmpo doing within the rehab course of from this harm, the Bucks coach additionally advised reporters that Antetokounmpo has been unable to do any stay motion on the ground but.
En path to Indy.@MichelobULTRA x #UltraDrip pic.twitter.com/4WFcuv3R8j
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 25, 2024
The Bucks cut up the primary two video games of the sequence earlier than heading to Indianapolis on Thursday for Friday’s Sport 3.
Whereas Antetokounmpo’s standing has been cleared up for Sport 3, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton continues to be listed as questionable after he suffered a proper ankle sprain within the first quarter of Sport 2. Middleton returned to the sport and put up 15 factors, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in 36 minutes on Tuesday, however sat off form Thursday.
How have the Bucks accomplished with out Antetokounmpo?
Behind a ridiculous first-half efficiency by Damian Lillard, the Bucks took Sport 1 in opposition to the Pacers in Milwaukee. Lillard scored 35 factors within the first two quarters and the second appeared too large for a younger Pacers workforce going by way of its first playoff sequence with Tyrese Haliburton operating the present. With Lillard flattening 3-pointers from deep and the Pacers struggling to search out any offensive rhythm, the Bucks took a 27-point lead into the half and coasted the remainder of the best way.
Sport 2 was a lot completely different. Lillard was as soon as once more spectacular within the first half, however the Pacers appeared very like the workforce they had been within the common season. After shaking off their Sport 1 efficiency, the Pacers received again to pushing the tempo in opposition to the Bucks on makes and misses and put collectively a 23-4 run within the fourth quarter to shut out the Bucks and cut up the sequence heading dwelling to Indianapolis for Sport 3.
Who must step up for the Bucks?
Lillard has performed properly for the Bucks up to now on this sequence with out Antetokounmpo on the ground. He has been dominant within the first half of video games, however slowed down within the second half as he has been pressured to cope with the brunt of the Pacers’ defensive consideration for all 4 quarters. Middleton performed properly in Sport 1 with 23 factors (9-of-14 from the sector), 10 rebounds and 4 assists, however struggled in Sport 2, hitting simply 6-of-14 from the sector for 15 factors, as he handled the lingering results of his proper ankle sprain within the first quarter.
For the Bucks to drag out a victory in Sport 3, they may use two issues: a a lot better defensive efficiency as a workforce and an enormous sport from Bobby Portis.
The Bucks weren’t disciplined on the defensive finish in Sport 3 as they let the Pacers get out on the run far too usually. When Antetokounmpo missed time all through the common season, Portis often stepped up with large offensive performances. After making 50.8 p.c from the sector and 40.7 p.c from 3 on his strategy to 13.8 factors and seven.8 rebounds per sport in a Sixth Man of the Yr-nominated regular-season effort, Portis has averaged 14.5 factors and 11 rebounds within the first two video games of the sequence, however solely shot 41.9 p.c from the sector, together with 0-for-4 from 3.
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(Picture: Gary Dineen / NBAE through Getty Photographs)