The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a tough postseason that seems to be getting worse with every game. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there are doubts surrounding the availability of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Antetokounmpo has been out of action for the entire postseason due to a calf strain he sustained toward the end of the regular season. Lillard, on the other hand, missed Game 4 due to an Achilles tendon strain that he aggravated in Game 3. Both players risk further injury if they return to play too soon.
The Bucks are preparing to play an elimination game without their two star players, as the Pacers currently hold a 3-1 series lead after winning Game 4. Despite Antetokounmpo’s absence, the Bucks have managed to stay competitive in the series, winning Game 1 and pushing Game 3 to overtime.
Lillard had elevated his scoring in the postseason, but his absence in Game 4, along with Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis (who was ejected in the first quarter), allowed the Pacers to secure a decisive win. Even if the Bucks manage to win Game 5, they would still be up against the odds with the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Lillard and Antetokounmpo for future games.