The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a crucial Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers with their season on the line, but the big question remains: will Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard be back in the lineup?
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, both players are “working to try” to make a return for the game. However, the NBA’s injury report lists Antetokounmpo as “doubtful” and Lillard as “questionable.”
The Bucks have been without Antetokounmpo for the entire postseason due to a calf strain, while Lillard missed Games 4 and 5 with an Achilles tendon strain. Head coach Doc Rivers expressed optimism about their potential return, saying they are “very, very, very close.”
Despite the absence of their star players, the Bucks have managed to stay competitive in the series. They won Game 1 and pushed Game 3 to overtime before ultimately falling short. In their most recent victory, Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton stepped up with 29 points each to extend the series.
Lillard, who averaged 24.3 points and seven assists in the regular season, elevated his game in the playoffs with Antetokounmpo out. In the first three games of the series, he averaged 32.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc.
As the Pacers hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, all eyes will be on whether Antetokounmpo and Lillard can make their much-anticipated return to help the Bucks stay alive in the playoffs.