Bucks

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard ‘Very Close’ To Returns

May 1, 2024

Somehow, someway, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series to stay alive.

And the Bucks didn’t even have the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard, as you know by now.

Well, now there may be some better news. Namely, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are nearing returns. The Bucks really need them, as they still trail the series by a 3-2 count, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday at Indiana.

For starters, Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters that both players would work out on the court on Wednesday.

“I think they’re very, very, very close,” Rivers said.

Lillard has missed each of the last two games with an Achilles injury. He has shed his walking boot.

Meanwhile, Antetokjounmpo has not played yet in the playoffs after suffering a strained calf three weeks ago. Rivers said Antetokounmpo hadn’t done any court work as of Tuesday, but has done some running.

As for the win, Rivers said it was all about finding some extra resolve.

“You could feel the energy in our film and in our walk-through,” Rivers said. “We’re coming to play and win. You can feel it in the preparation, that was not a team walking through a walk-through, thinking this was it. That’s a team thinking they can win.”

Few teams have ever come back from a 3-1 deficit, but unlike when trailing 3-0, some have. Getting back Antetokounmpo and Lillard would undoubtedly increase those odds for the Bucks.