Los 40 USA
Sign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

NBA

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo play today against the Pacers in Game 5 of the first round?

The Milwaukee Bucks have been without star man Giannis for the first four games of the series, in which they trail 3-1.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been without star man Giannis for the first four games of the series, in which they trail 3-1.
STACY REVEREAFP

Giannis Antekounmpo is a major doubt for Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs first-round series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers, which Rick Carlisle’s team have taken control of.

After an opening 109-94 win for the Bucks, the Pacers have forged ahead in the series with three successive victories (125-108, 121-118, 126-113), aided by Milwaukee being without their eight-time NBA All-Star.

Giannis Antetokounmpo in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Full screen
Giannis Antetokounmpo in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder.Jeff HanischUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

What injury does Giannis Antetokounmpo have?

Giannis has not been able to participate in the series at all due to a left soleus (calf) strain, which has kept him sidelined for the three games so far. It was back on 10 April during a Bucks regular season game against the Boston Celtics when Antetokounmpo went to ground and he hasn’t played since; that was 18 days ago.

There is, at least, a small chance of him being available to feature at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday (30 April, tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT), although the fact he is listed as doubtful suggests that is more hope than expectation.

Shams Charania, The Athletic’s senior lead NBA Insider, revealed the 29-year-old had only just started running at the weekend, which meant there was “pessimism and doubt” over his status.

Bucks injury update: Lillard, Livingston, Beverley, Middleton...

Point guard Damian Lillard is also in the doubtful category because of an achilles issue, although Charania reported he has only just come out of a protective boot and has done nothing more than underwater running, which suggests he is even less likely to play.

The good news is Chris Livingston is available again after a ‘non-covid illness’, while Patrick Beverley and Khris Middleton are marked as probables after recent fitness issues.

A third straight win for Indiana will secure their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they would play either the Philadelphia 76ers or the New York Knicks.

Rules