Damian Lillard update for game vs Raptors
- Advertisement -
The evolution of the NBA point forward
The Bucks have played a role in the evolution of the point forward, from Don Nelson and Marques Johnson 40 years ago to Giannis Antetokounmpo today.
The Milwaukee Bucks take on the Toronto Raptors tonight at Fiserv Forum, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Bucks (47-29) have lost four of their last five games, but are still the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Raptors (23-53) have lost 15 straight games.
What is the Bucks magic number?
1 To clinch a playoff berth. Per the NBA, Milwaukee clinches at least the No. 6 seed with a win over the Raptors. There are a couple of other clinching scenarios, too:
- Indiana loss and a Miami loss
- Indiana loss and an Orlando win
Bucks playoff scenarios: More on team’s magic number, schedule, 2024 Eastern Conference standings, bracket and record
Is Giannis playing?
Two nights after grabbing at his left hamstring on a couple of occasions against Memphis, the Bucks’ star has been downgraded to doubtful to play vs. the Raptors with tendinopathy in the leg. Tendinopathy is when there is swelling and/or pain in the tendons that attach the muscle to bone.
He began the day as questionable.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said he thought about pulling Antetokounmpo on a couple of occasions in the Grizzlies game, but the two-time MVP stayed in and played 32 minutes. He had one of his worst shooting nights of the season in going 10-for-23, and there were clear moments of discomfort:
- He hit the floor in the second quarter when he was blocked by Memphis’ 6-foot, 7-inch forward Jake LaRavia. Antetokounmpo landed with both legs, but once he was on the ground he grimaced, grabbed the hamstring area and flexed his left leg several times before getting up. He then took a moment before the jump ball to bend deeply at the waist.
- On his 14th shot of the first half, he drove in for what was a routinely explosive move to the rim but after making the shot he immediately grabbed his leg as he turned back up the court.
- He grabbed at the hamstring again after completing a behind-the-back dribble into a layup three minutes into the third quarter.
“Things are not always going to be easy,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “It’s easy to say I’m not going to play and I’m just going to sit. But I think it’s the hardest to play through pain and keep on going. Not just to try to win, but also for yourself. Because I think it’s going to help me in the long run.”
Antetokounmpo missed games on March 17 and March 20 with the hamstring injury, which he said he first felt on March 10 in Los Angeles in a game against the Clippers. Prior to sitting out the game against Phoenix on the 17th, Rivers had said he told Antetokounmpo that it was OK to sit out if it was necessary.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
3-2
Bucks injury report
- Damian Lillard, available (right adductor strain)The all-star point guard was upgraded to available after beginning the day as questionable. His injury was clarified…
Read More: Damian Lillard update for game vs Raptors 2024-04-05 21:02:37