Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight? Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers Game 3 injury updates

Despite missing their two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks won Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers behind a stingy defense and a 35-point first half from Damian Lillard.

The Pacers came back to rout Milwaukee in Game 2 as Pascal Siakam went for 37 points and 11 rebounds. Coupled with his 36 points and 13 rebounds in Game 1, Siakam became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to begin a postseason with consecutive games of least 35 points and 10 boards, per ESPN.

If it wasn’t clear before, it’s painfully obvious now that the Bucks need Antetokounmpo. As the series shifts to Indiana for a crucial Game 3, will Milwaukee get its star back?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is officially out for Game 3 vs. Pacers

The Bucks have officially ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 3 tonight against the Pacers, and very unlikely he’s back Sunday either.

There continues to be serious doubt on if Giannis will even return at all this series. pic.twitter.com/9w17hhG0rg

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) April 26, 2024

Unfortunately for the Bucks, Giannis won’t be available tonight as he continues to rehab a calf injury he suffered late in the regular season. That’s bad news for Milwaukee as head coach Doc Rivers tries to solve his Siakam problem.

The former Toronto Raptors star has been a matchup nightmare for the Bucks without Antetokounmpo. He’s too quick for bigger players like Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez but too long and strong for wings like Khris Middleton and Jae Crowder.

Rivers came into the series game-planning to stop Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton, but Siakam has ruined the Bucks’ defense, going through, over and around anything Milwaukee tries to throw at him. Giannis is the only player capable of defending Siakam 1-on-1. Without him, it could be another long night for Milwaukee on that end of the floor.

Middleton is listed as questionable with an ankle injury but is expected to play. Indiana is still without Bennedict Mathurin.

It might be up to Lillard, Middleton and Milwaukee’s offense to outscore the Pacers or the Bucks could find themselves facing a 2-1 deficit with Antetokounmpo’s health still a question mark.

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