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via Imago

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via Imago

The Milwaukee Bucks are hanging by a thread in the race for the playoffs, and that thread is none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Damian Lillard out due to a calf injury, the other players are contributing, but it’s still basically Giannis or bust. The Bucks have a brutal final stretch ahead, and if Giannis misses time, that 6th seed isn’t safe at all. The Orlando Magic are right behind them, and dropping out in the regular season would be a disaster. Now, Antetokounmpo has once again found himself on the injury list, listed as probable.

Giannis has been the Bucks’ lifeline, all season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 62 games. He has a well-documented history of toughness, often playing through nagging injuries during critical stretches—last season, he appeared in 73 games despite knee and hamstring issues.

He went off again in their win against the Suns, dropping 37 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds in 36 minutes. Brook Lopez chipped in with 22, and Ryan Rollins had a surprising 23, helping snap their four-game losing streak. But with Giannis pushing through a foot sprain every night, you have to wonder—how much longer can he keep this up before it catches up to him?

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Let’s take a look at the Injury Status of the Bucks going against the 76ers.

Milwaukee Bucks Injury Report

Injuries aren’t making things any easier for the Bucks. Giannis (foot) is listed as probable for Thursday’s game against the 76ers, which is good news, but he’s still playing through pain—something that could catch up to him if they’re not careful. AJ Green (shoulder) is questionable, so it’s a wait-and-see situation with him.

To keep fans updated ahead of the crucial matchup, the Bucks tweeted their official injury report:

The real concern is Damian Lillard (calf), who remains out but according to the recent reports it says that he’s been doing better and Bucks are optimistic on his return in around a week or 10 days. That’s a huge, considering how much the team has relied on Giannis to carry the offense in his absence. The sooner Lillard is back, the better, but the Bucks will have to hold the fort without him for now.

On the other side, Jericho Sims (thumb) just had surgery to repair a torn ligament and will be sidelined for about a month. While this doesn’t directly impact Milwaukee, it does affect the Bucks’ depth, which could matter in potential matchups down the line.

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With the playoffs coming closer, the Bucks need all hands on deck. Giannis is already shouldering a heavy load, and if the injuries keep piling up, they could be in trouble when it matters the most.

Milwaukee Bucks Depth Chart Going Against Philadelphia 76ers

With Giannis (foot) and AJ Green (shoulder) listed as day-to-day and Damian Lillard still out, Milwaukee’s depth will be tested once again. A win against the 76ers would help solidify their playoff spot, but with key players banged up, they’ll need others to step up. Let’s take a look at their predicted lineup for tonight’s game.

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POSITIONSTARTER2nd UNIT3rd UNIT
PGRyan RollingsKevin Porter Jr.Jamaree Bouyea
SGTaurean PrinceAJ Green DDGary Trent Jr
SFKyle KuzmaGary Trent Jr.Andre Jackson Jr.
PFGiannis Antetokounmpo DDKyle KuzmaTaurean Prince
CBrook LopezGiannis Antetokounmpo DDPete Nance

The Bucks have a great chance to grab a much-needed and sort of easier win, with eight Philly players out, including Joel Embiid and Paul George. Even with their injury issues, this is a game they should win. With the playoffs getting closer, every win counts, and they can’t afford to slip up against a shorthanded Philly squad.

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