Are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Playing Tonight? Latest Bucks Injury Report Before Game 5 VS. the Pacers

The elimination game has become more intense for the Milwaukee Bucks as the team’s key players are ruled out again for Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers. Down by 3-1, the Bucks are not on the verge of elimination. Though NBA insider Shams Charania doubted that either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard would play in Game 5, the confirmation from the former has shattered all hopes for the Bucks. In his interaction with experts on the Run It Back show, Charania revealed that Damian and Giannis are not “expected to play in potential elimination Game 5.”

The return that the NBA community mostly expected was Giannis Antetokounmpo, as NBA insider Shams predicted his injury span would be two to four weeks from the Celtics game exit time. Tuesday marked exactly two weeks from the day of the injury, and fans will not see The Greek Freak in Game 5. The reason that NBA insider Shams spoke for Giannis was due to the complexity of the latter’s injuries. He shared, “These non-contact calf strains are tricky. The amount of risk that you have, it creates complications.”

Considering Antetokounmpo’s significance for the Bucks, Shams suggested that it would be better for his team to give rest to the former for this season. However, the spine support of the Bucks, who worked in the absence of Giannis, is also not set to step into court on Tuesday night. With injuries affecting the legs of the athlete, which are the base of basketball players’ play, Bucks has to step into Game 5 with a cracked team.

How will the Milwaukee Bucks hoop the ball in Giannis’ absence?

In game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the Pacers, the Bucks will equip Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Bobby Portis. However, the Bucks have been managing Giannis’ and Dame’s omission from the court well. Bucks center Brook Lopez scored 27 points, while forward Khris Middleton contributed 25 points in the last game against the Pacers. But the defensive strategy from the Bucks is still lacking on some ends.

The biggest challenge to defend for the Bucks is 3-point shooting from the Pacers roster. Moreover, Myles Turner brought down his wrath on the Bucks with his 29-point streak in Game 4. Another player that the Bucks have to look out for is Tyrese Haliburton. Most of the 3-pointers came from his end in the last game, as he scored 24 points. Overall, this combo is crumbling the Bucks’ defensive end without entering the painted ground.

Looking at the injury status of the Bucks with their star players missing, it will be challenging to cover their weakness by keeping the numbers low. However, it’s all about reading and execution. If the Bucks defense manages to clinch the fifth game, the hope of their fans will still be alive after they come out of their home court on Tuesday night.