Doc Rivers says Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard 'very shut' to returning – NBA.com

Milwaukee's coach is hopeful that his two cornerstone gamers can return from accidents earlier than the tip of the primary spherical.
Steve Megaree | The Related Press
Damian Lillard (left) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (proper) discuss with Jae Crowder after the Bucks’ Sport 5 win.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers continues to precise hope that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard can return from accidents earlier than the tip of their Japanese Convention first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks performed with out their prime two gamers as soon as once more and saved their season alive with a 115-92 Game 5 victory Tuesday evening. Rivers was requested afterward concerning the potential availability of Antetokounmpo and Lillard for the remainder of the sequence.
“I don’t know the best way to reply that,” Rivers stated. “I do know I hope. I believe they’re very, very, very shut.”
Antetokounmpo is coping with a strained left calf that has saved him out for the whole sequence. Lillard injured his Achilles tendon through the Bucks’ 121-118 Game 3 overtime loss on Friday.
The Bucks survived a must-win sport with out them Tuesday. The Pacers nonetheless lead the best-of-seven sequence 3-2 heading into Thursday’s Sport 6 in Indianapolis.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed since straining his left calf in an April 9 victory in opposition to the Boston Celtics. The 2-time Kia MVP struggled to run up the courtroom within the third quarter of that sport when he grabbed his left calf and sat on the ground earlier than ultimately heading to the locker room. An MRI revealed the muscle pressure.
Lillard twisted his left knee within the first quarter of Sport 3, went to the locker room and returned to the sport, then harm his Achilles late within the fourth quarter. The seven-time all-NBA guard didn’t play within the Bucks’ 126-113 Game 4 loss on Sunday.
Each have been watching from the bench throughout Sport 5.
“They’re into it,” Bucks ahead Khris Middleton stated. “They’re cheering us on, encouraging us. Each time they see little one thing within the sport, they converse to us about it. They’re encouraging us. … It’s nice to have their assist on the bench. I want they have been on the market with us, however in due time, hopefully they’ll be on the market quickly.”
Milwaukee has managed to keep away from elimination thanks largely to Middleton, who has scored at the least 25 factors in every of the Bucks’ final three video games regardless of coping with a sprained proper ankle.
Middleton scored 42 factors in a Sport 3 time beyond regulation loss and had 25 extra whe the Bucks fell in Sport 4. He adopted that up by amassing 29 factors, 12 rebounds and 5 assists Tuesday.
“He gave us every little thing tonight,” Rivers stated.
Different Bucks additionally stepped up Tuesday. Bobby Portis bounced again from a Sport 4 ejection to gather 29 factors and 10 rebounds. Patrick Beverley overcame a strained proper indirect and had 13 factors and 12 assists. Pat Connaughton had his greatest sport of the sequence with 9 factors and 4 assists.
They’re hoping they saved this sequence going lengthy sufficient for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to return.
Milwaukee's star ahead suffered the harm within the third quarter of Tuesday's residence win in opposition to Boston.
Milwaukee was missing its prime 2 scorers in Sport 4 because it misplaced 126-113 to fall behind 3-1 within the sequence vs. Indiana.
All of Indiana's key gamers contribute on an evening Milwaukee misses too lots of their very own. Now the Bucks face elimination.
Milwaukee already was enjoying with out the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard when Portis was ejected.
Milwaukee's star ahead suffered the harm within the third quarter of Tuesday's residence win in opposition to Boston.
Milwaukee was missing its prime 2 scorers in Sport 4 because it misplaced 126-113 to fall behind 3-1 within the sequence vs. Indiana.
All of Indiana's key gamers contribute on an evening Milwaukee misses too lots of their very own. Now the Bucks face elimination.
Milwaukee already was enjoying with out the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard when Portis was ejected.
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