The Milwaukee Bucks are on a tear rolling into Los Angeles to face off against the Lakers on Thursday night and this one matters. And with the playoffs looming, Milwaukee needs every bit of momentum it can, which is why it’s their only trip to Crypto.com Arena this season. Beating L.A. again? That would be a statement.

They come off a brutal 104-93 loss to the Warriors. And not just any Warriors team—Golden State without Stephen Curry. Yeah, that one stung. The offense was nowhere close to where it needed to be, and now Giannis Antetokounmpo has to find a way to turn things around. Yet, is there an injury for the Greek Freak?

Bucks injury report: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status vs. Lakers

The injury situation right now has both positive aspects and less favorable developments. Some good news, some not-so-great. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo with right patella tendinopathy and Damian Lillard with right groin soreness have been designated as probable, thus indicating their potential presence on the court.

One can’t ignore these conditions simply because the team listed the players as ‘probable’. These injuries have persisted over an extended period and might continue to affect performance levels.

Giannis, for example, hasn’t missed a game since before the All-Star break. His numbers in March? Still elite—27.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game.

But his last game against the Warriors? Not pretty. He shot just 5-of-16 from the field and couldn’t get anything going against Draymond Green when it mattered most. The 4x NBA champion played locked-in defense against Antetokounmpo.

Lillard’s situation is similar. The groin soreness? It’s clearly bothering him.

He’s had some rough shooting nights lately, and against Golden State, he put up just 16 points on 33.3% from the field. When he’s at full strength, he’s one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. Yet right now, he’s still fighting through it.

Then there’s Gary Trent Jr., also listed as probable with knee soreness. The Bucks should have most of their key rotation guys available. However, Bobby Portis Jr. remains suspended, and a few other guys — Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Donovan Sims, and Stanley Umude—are out because of injuries or G League assignments.

Antetokounmpo’s Dominance Against the Lakers

Forget Luka Doncic for a second—this game is all about Giannis. Antetokounmpo has consistently owned the Lakers. Over 22 career games, he’s averaged 27.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. That’s superstar production every time he faces L.A.

His latest battle against them? On March 13, 2025, the Bucks delivered a 126-106 victory, as he scored 24 points alongside 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Despite his 45 points, Doncic suffered defeat as Milwaukee’s multiple contributors outmatched the Lakers.

Now, he’s in MVP form again—averaging 30.2 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists this season. With LeBron James still out, this is Giannis’ stage. The Bucks need a win, and history says he delivers when L.A. is on the other side. That Warriors loss left a bad taste. Now, the Bucks are fighting for a top-four seed in the East, and every game matters.

Beating the Lakers, completing the season sweep, and reminding the league they’re still a threat? That’s absolutely what they need. Giannis is locked in. Dame is pushing through. Luka wants revenge.

This one’s got everything!