As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare for the playoffs, Antetokounmpo continues to miss live drills while Lillard participates in the entirety of practice.

April 20, 2024
By Ritik Tagged as NBA
Nothing to Say As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare for the playoffs, Antetokounmpo continues to miss live drills while Lillard participates in the entirety of practice.

Yardbarker provided the images of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo did not take part in live drills on Friday, Damian Lillard had a complete practice as the Milwaukee Bucks began their preparations for Sunday’s playoff opening against the Indiana Pacers.

Since the last weekend of the regular season, Lillard has been struggling with a sore adductor, and Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks’ final three games because of a strained left calf.

Antetokounmpo won’t be returning for Sunday’s game, as revealed by Bucks President Peter Feigin, but coach Doc Rivers hasn’t ruled out the two-time MVP for the opening of the series.

As of now, I’m not sure,” Rivers stated on Friday. “We’re not giving up. He hasn’t taken any action. Would we cast him aside? Indeed, we would. We’re still not convinced about it for us.

Rivers stated that although Antetokounmpo was at the gym on Friday, he simply engaged in walk-through exercises rather than any live ones.

Although Antetokounmpo has shown great play against Indiana in the regular season, the Bucks will likely need to rely more on Lillard, who participated in a full practice this week for the first time

Steven Lillard (Photo by Marca)

After practice, Lillard said, “I felt solid.”

Following his absence from a game against Oklahoma City in April, Lillard had trouble shooting in the following game against Orlando. He’s been battling not just the strained adductor but also an Achilles problem.

Returning to it was beneficial, according to Lillard. “It will require that much time from me.” Tomorrow will be a better day, but I needed today. I’ll just feel better after taking action and be ready for Sunday, even if it’s not live.

Lillard hasn’t made it to the playoffs with the Portland Trail Blazers in the previous two years, but this is his first time back. Even though he is a seven-time all-NBA guard, since Portland advanced to the Western Conference finals in 2019, he hasn’t advanced past the first round.