Bucks' Damian Lillard will return for Game 6 vs. Pacers, per reports, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is out
SPORTS
The Milwaukee Bucks ensured their season continued by defeating the Indiana Pacers 115-92 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Now, there's potential reinforcements on the horizon. Multiple reports indicate that Damian Lillard, who missed the past two games due to an Achilles injury, will make his return for Game 6 in Indiana.
Two hours before Thursday's game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned that both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were game-time decisions. "Giannis is less likely to play than Damian, but both had impressive workouts today," Rivers noted.
As per the team's injury report on Thursday afternoon, Lillard's status was upgraded to questionable, whereas Antetokounmpo, dealing with a calf strain, has been ruled out for the Game 6 clash. The Bucks had listed both players as doubtful on their injury report Wednesday night.
Antetokounmpo hasn't participated in the playoffs at all due to a calf strain suffered on April 9 during the team's final regular-season games. While an official timeline wasn't announced by the Bucks, Shams Charania reported it would take two to four weeks for his return. Game 6 on Thursday marks just past the three-week mark.
Meanwhile, Lillard re-aggravated an Achilles injury in Game 3 and subsequently missed the last two games. The Bucks have refrained from specifying a timeline for Lillard's return, although it's worth mentioning that he had been sidelined from practice for several days leading up to the series due to a sore Achilles.
Before the pivotal Game 5 victory, Rivers had a more cautious outlook regarding his star players. "[Antetokounmpo] didn't participate much [during shootaround]," Rivers mentioned in his pre-game press conference. "He did some shooting and more after I left, but I didn't witness it. Dame didn't do anything." However, Lillard did later engage in a light shooting session just before the game.
Given the uncertainties surrounding these injuries and the lack of clarity throughout the process, it's challenging to confidently predict whether Antetokounmpo or Lillard will be available for Game 6.
While the Bucks would prefer to have their star duo back, they've proven they can compete with the Pacers regardless. They were competitive in Game 4 before fading in the second half and convincingly won Game 5.
The ability of Milwaukee's supporting cast to replicate such performances in a critical away game remains uncertain, but it's evident that the Bucks are ready to fight until the end.
: What was the final score in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers?
A: The Milwaukee Bucks won Game 5 with a score of 115-92 against the Indiana Pacers.
Q: Who missed the past two games for the Milwaukee Bucks due to an Achilles injury?
A: Damian Lillard missed the past two games for the Milwaukee Bucks due to an Achilles injury.
Q: What is the status of Damian Lillard for Game 6 according to multiple reports?
A: Multiple reports suggest that Damian Lillard will be back in action for Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers.
Q: Why was Giannis Antetokounmpo considered more doubtful than Damian Lillard for Game 6 according to Bucks coach Doc Rivers?
A: Giannis Antetokounmpo was considered more doubtful than Damian Lillard due to his calf strain, as mentioned by Bucks coach Doc Rivers.
Q: What was the updated status of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the injury report before Game 6?
A: Lillard was upgraded to questionable, while Antetokounmpo was ruled out for Game 6 due to a calf strain.
Q: When did Giannis Antetokounmpo suffer his calf strain, and how long was his expected recovery period according to reports?
A: Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf strain on April 9 during the team's final regular-season games. Reports indicated a recovery period of two to four weeks.
Q: What injury did Damian Lillard re-aggravate in Game 3, leading to him missing the last two games?
A: Damian Lillard re-aggravated an Achilles injury in Game 3, which caused him to miss the last two games.
Q: How did Bucks coach Doc Rivers describe the workouts of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo before Game 6?
A: Doc Rivers mentioned that both Lillard and Antetokounmpo had great workouts before Game 6.
Q: What did Bucks coach Doc Rivers say about the availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before Game 6?
A: Doc Rivers stated that Giannis Antetokounmpo was more doubtful than Damian Lillard for Game 6, but both had great workouts.
Q: What did Doc Rivers say about the Milwaukee Bucks' outlook regarding the availability of their star players before Game 5?
A: Doc Rivers sounded less optimistic about the availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before Game 5, mentioning their limited participation in shootaround and practice sessions.
