As the Milwaukee Bucks continue to stave off a First Round elimination, All-Star guard Damian Lillard will return to the lineup for Game 6, per a team announcement.
Dame is ACTIVE for Game 6. pic.twitter.com/V93fL0n1Rq
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 2, 2024
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with the soleus injury he sustained against the Boston Celtics on Apr. 9.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as out for tonight’s game.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 2, 2024
Bucks Get Bittersweet News Ahead of Elimination Game
Lillard had missed the past two games after re-aggravating an Achilles injury he suffered at the end of the season.
Averaging 32.3 points and 1.3 steals per game against the Indiana Pacers, he’s having one of his best postseason performances. Defensive-minded veteran Patrick Beverley has done well in his absence, averaging 11.0 points, 8.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game and shooting 66.7 percent from 3. However, he’s far from the offensive threat that Lillard is.
With that said, the Bucks’ most valuable player the last two games has been Khris Middleton. Averaging 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assist per game in that span, his versatile scoring ability allowed him to take over for Milwaukee with Lillard out.
With Antetokounmpo out, the Bucks may still need Middleton to deliver these types of performances at the offensive end.
However, Milwaukee’s big men —Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis —can also be counted upon for buckets. While Lopez posted 27 points in the Bucks’ Game 4 loss, Portis tallied 29 points in their Game 5 win. Inside-outside scorers, they can alleviate some of the pressure being placed on both Middleton and Lillard.
Frankly, nobody on the team can mirror Antetokounmpo’s impact at either end of the floor. Nonetheless, Milwaukee stands a solid chance of defeating the Pacers with those four in the lineup.
