‘Pessimism’ over status of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, per Shams Charania

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were both sidelined for the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 126-113 Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers. The two All-Stars are doubtful to return for Game 5, which Milwaukee must win to extend the series.

Speaking on the Run It Back podcast, Shams Charania provided an update on Antetokounmpo and Lillard, stating:

Damian Lillard, over in Game 3 it was, he suffered an Achilles re-aggravation. He’s been dealing with significant soreness in that Achilles for the last few weeks, playing through it, but he was diagnosed with an Achilles strain so it’s not a full tear – there’s no tear – but he did have a strain in that Achilles.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, we know, he had the calf strain. Tuesday, tomorrow’s Game 5, marks three weeks since the injury, but he just started running over the weekend, and Damian Lillard was in a boot.

He’s out of the boot now. He’s doing some underwater running and he’s trying to progress and do more, but given that Game 5 is just one day away, there is obviously pessimism and some doubt over their status.

Antetokounmpo has missed the past seven games – including all four postseason games. Meanwhile, Lillard appeared in the first three games of the series – playing at an elite level – before missing Game 4. He averaged 32.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The eight-time All-Star shot 41.5% from the field, 44.4% from three-point range and 96.4% from the free-throw line.

"[Giannis Antetokounmpo] just started running over the weekend, and Damian Lillard was in a boot, he's out of the boot now, he's doing some underwater running…But given that game 5 is just one day away, there is obviously pessimism and some doubt over their status."… pic.twitter.com/ihRplOhUb9

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 29, 2024

Can the Milwaukee Bucks come back without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard?

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both had strong seasons in 2023-24. Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 61.1% from the field. Lillard averaged 24.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.0 spg and 0.2 bpg on 42.4/35.4/92.0 shooting splits.

Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and Malik Beasley all scored at least 20 points for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4. Despite the strong offensive nights, they still suffered a 13-point defeat to the Indiana Pacers. Milwaukee may be able to take Game 5, which will be played on their home court, without their two stars.

They will have a far more difficult task attempting to win three games in a row, if Antetokounmpo and Lillard are unable to return this series. If both members of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team return, however, the Bucks have the talent to make things interesting.

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