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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”
• Obtain the NBA App
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to find out the severity of his Achilles harm, and the Milwaukee Bucks might be with out the star guard for Sport 4 of their playoff collection towards the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers mentioned Saturday.
Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled by way of an Indianapolis resort carrying a strolling boot on his proper foot, however he didn’t take questions.
“We don’t know but, not wanting nice however we don’t know but,” Rivers mentioned when requested about Lillard’s availability for Sunday’s sport. “They’re going to provide us the check outcomes quickly, so we should always know a little bit later at this time.”
Milwaukee was 1-8 when Lillard didn’t begin a sport within the common season.
Lillard was clearly limping at occasions in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 time beyond regulation loss at Indiana on Friday evening. The eight-time All-Star twisted his left knee when Pacers ahead Pascal Siakam stepped on his foot within the first quarter. He stayed on the bottom briefly earlier than going to the locker room.
The 33-year-old Lillard returned within the second quarter and completed with 28 factors and eight assists whereas going 6 of 20 from the sphere.
After the sport, Lillard mentioned he additionally harm an Achilles tendon late in regulation. He scored two factors, each on free throws and none in time beyond regulation, over the ultimate 10 minutes Friday as Milwaukee fell right into a 2-1 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
Lillard’s harm means Milwaukee might be with out its prime two gamers for Sport 4.
Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf on April 9. Rivers mentioned Antetokounmpo might be cleared for Sport 4, although he believes it’s unlikely.
“As we speak is his time off so he’s going to go onerous early (Sunday) after which we’re going to decide after that,” Rivers mentioned earlier than being requested immediately whether or not Antetokounmpo may play. “I doubt it, however we’ll see.”
The Bucks did get some promising information Saturday.
Rivers mentioned Khris Middleton — who completed with a playoff-career excessive 42 factors in Sport 3 — seemed to be feeling properly after taking part in 41 minutes on the sprained proper ankle that stored him out of Thursday’s follow.
“He felt nice,” Rivers mentioned. “Clearly, you’ve obtained to fall asleep and get up within the morning and I’m wanting round and don’t see plenty of outdated guys — a few us — you understand how after we get up our physique feels, so we now have to attend for Khris to get up within the morning. The excellent news is there wasn’t plenty of swelling, and he mentioned he felt higher as the sport went on.”
Coping with postseason accidents is nothing new for the Bucks.
A sprained ankle stored Antetokounmpo out of the ultimate 1½ video games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami. He additionally missed the ultimate two video games of the 2021 Japanese Convention finals with a hyperextended knee. Antetokounmpo returned towards Phoenix and was named the NBA Finals MVP after scoring 50 factors in a title-clinching Sport 6 victory.
Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff video games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament, and Antetokounmpo left Sport 1 of final yr’s first-round loss to Miami with a bruised decrease again that additionally stored him out of Video games 2 and three.
The Bucks are dealing with the same state of affairs Sunday.
“We have now 24 hours to work on that and determine it out,” Rivers mentioned. “Prior to now, with out him (Lillard), we’ve had Giannis on the level. If he doesn’t play, you need to simply determine one thing. We have now guys. There are particular methods within the movement offense we are able to play, we’ve labored a little bit bit on that, so we’ll be prepared.”