Bucks Rivers coach says Antetokounmpo and Lillard are “very, very, very close” to returning

MILWAUKEE (AP) Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers continues to express hope that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will return from injuries before the conclusion of the Eastern Conference first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.

The Bucks once more played without their two best players and kept their season alive with a 115-92 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Rivers was later asked about Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s potential availability for the rest of the series.

“I don’t know how to answer that question,” Rivers said. “I know I have hope. I think they are very, very, very close.”

Antetokounmpo is coping with a strained left calf that has sidelined him for your complete series. Lillard suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the course of the Bucks’ 121-118 Game 3 loss on Friday.

On Tuesday, the Bucks survived a must-win game without them. The Pacers still lead the best-of-three series 3-2 heading into Thursday’s Game 6 in Indianapolis.

Antetokounmpo has not played since straining his left calf in a victory over the Boston Celtics on April 9. The two-time MVP had difficulty running onto the court within the third quarter of that game when he grabbed his left calf and sat on the ground before eventually heading to the locker room. MRI showed muscle tension.

Lillard sprained his left knee in the primary quarter of Game 3, went to the locker room and returned to the sport, before suffering an Achilles tendon injury late within the fourth quarter. The seven-time NBA guard didn’t play in Game 4 on Sunday, wherein the Bucks lost 126-113.

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They each watched from the benches in the course of the fifth game.

“They’re into it,” Bucks forward Khris Middleton said. They support us and encourage us. Whenever they see something in the sport, they talk to us about it. They encourage us. … It’s great to have their support on the bench. I wish they were there with us, but I hope in due time they shall be there soon.

Milwaukee managed to avoid elimination largely thanks to Middleton, who scored at the very least 25 points in each of the Bucks’ last three games despite spraining his right ankle.

Middleton scored 42 points within the Game 3 additional time loss and had 25 more when the Bucks lost in Game 4. On Tuesday, he collected 29 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

“He gave us everything today,” Rivers said.

Other Bucks also stepped up their efforts on Tuesday. Bobby Portis rebounded from a ejection within the fourth to collect 29 points and 10 rebounds. Patrick Beverley overcame a right oblique strain to rating 13 points and 12 assists. Pat Connaughton had his best game of the series, scoring nine points and 4 assists.

They hope to keep this streak going long enough for Antetokounmpo and Lillard to return.