Bucks could be without biggest stars in elimination playoff game

The Milwaukee Bucks came into the playoffs expected to potentially make some noise if they could get past their opening-round matchup against the Indiana Pacers. But now, their back is up against the wall trailing 3-1 in the series. And they could be without two of their biggest stars for their most important game of the year.

Star forward Giannis Antetokoumpo has been out the entire postseason with a calf sprain. And star guard Damian Lillard briefly exited Game 3 of the series with an Achilles sprain, which forced him to miss Game 4 of the series on Sunday.

Without either Antetokounmpo or Lillard, the Bucks seemingly don’t have a great chance of winning in Game 5, much less complete the 3-1 series comeback. And according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there is “doubt” that either player will be playing in the elimination game for the Bucks on Tuesday night.

There is doubt that Bucks All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) and Damian Lillard (Achilles tendon strain) will be able to play in potential elimination Game 5 vs. Pacers on Tuesday down 3-1, sources say. Both have tricky strains that complicate returns and create risk. pic.twitter.com/O235igT1D7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 29, 2024

It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Bucks to survive this series because of Antetokounmpo’s absence. But when you lose both him and Lillard, you really find that the Pacers are simply the better basketball team in this series.

Perhaps the only thing that the Bucks will have in their favor for the Game 5 matchup is that they will be returning back to Milwaukee for the game. But if both stars for Milwaukee are indeed forced to miss the game, Bucks fans could very well see their season come to an end on Tuesday night.

[Shams Charania]