Bucks vs Raptors Injury Report: Is Damian Lillard Playing Tonight?

After a slight fumble, the Milwaukee Bucks have found themselves back on track. With only 6 games left in the regular season, the Bucks have to make the most of it to finish 2nd in the East. The Wisconsin side also has the opportunity to correct their mistakes from the 2023 postseason, losing in the first round despite being the #1 seed. Amid this equation, Damian Lillard & Co. take on the struggling Toronto Raptors at home at 8 PM ET.

The Raptors haven’t been the same since the injuries plagued them. The team has lost 15 games in a row and they take on a second-seeding team to end their streak. As the availability of Damian Lillard and several other stars remained doubtful for tonight, the North side may have a chance to end their adversity. Lillard, who sat out for the Bucks’ last outing against the Memphis Grizzlies with a groin injury, has been listed in the Questionable category tonight.

Playing his first season in the Bucks fold, Lillard has found himself as a comfortable replacement for Jrue Holiday. Compared to Holiday’s stats, Lillard has outscored the former Bucks player by 12 points per game. At the same time, Dame Time’s last season average has come down drastically from 32.2 points to 24.4 points per game. However, the star’s contribution to Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s dominant stats evened out the drawback. Notably, the 33-year-old’s health ahead of the postseason would determine the Bucks’ chance at the ring.

Apart from Damian Lillard’s absence tonight, the Bucks also have two other big names on the doubtful list. The team listed Giannis Antetokounmpo and Patrick Beverley in the Questionable category with left hamstring tendinopathy and an ankle injury, respectively. Along with them, 23-year-old forward MarJon Beauchamp also joined them with a right ankle sprain. 

While the Bucks’ injury report looked promising enough for the Raptors to break the streak, it went through the back door right away. The Raptors have 50% of the roster on the injury report.

Milwaukee Bucks depth chart

If Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo miss the game tonight, the Bucks have the opportunity to try out their inexperienced players to have some game time ahead of the playoffs. As Damian Lillard and his backup point guard Patrick Beverley have been included in the injury report, 22-year-old TyTy Washington Jr. may get a call-up. Taking the IR into consideration, the team’s depth chart would look something like this:

Ty Ty Washington has played only 6 games in this season so far averaging 1 point per game. In the last game against the Grizzlies, he played 9 minutes and scored 3 points. Maybe, the team could expand his game time tonight. As of now, the Bucks might start with: Ty Ty Washington Jr., Malik Beasley, Khris Middleton, Jae Crowder, and Brook Lopez.

Read More – “Save Him From Himself”: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Reluctance On Playing Through Injury Concerns NBA Fans