The Bucks need to win just one more game to lock up the two-seed in the East. Damian Lillard is out against the Thunder.
It’s far from ideal that the Milwaukee Bucks are nearing the postseason with Giannis Antetokounmpo dealing with a calf issue that is threatening to derail a playoff push before it even starts. Nonetheless, the Bucks still have pressing regular-season matters to deal with. They are only in need of one win to secure the two-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Alas, what lies in front of them is a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder still have a chance to get the one-seed, so a dogfight is to be expected. Thus, it makes the matter of whether or not Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, the Bucks’ two best players at the moment, will be available for a game that will have major seeding implications.
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Damian Lillard injury status vs. Thunder
Damian Lillard has suited up in the Bucks’ past four games, with Milwaukee ever so importantly winning their last two crucial contests that came against the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. Lillard is even coming off a strong 29-point night in an 18-point victory over the Magic. However, it doesn’t look likely that Lillard will be suiting up against the Thunder.
Previously, the Bucks listed Lillard on the injury report as “doubtful” to play due to left adductor soreness. Lillard missed three straight games from March 30 to April 3 due to groin pain, and it looks as though this is continuing to linger for the star point guard. Per the latest update, Lillard is officially out for the game against the Thunder.
It’s not quite clear how the Bucks are approaching matters of seeding; they can lock up the two-seed with a single win, but there might be a chance that Milwaukee prefers to lose out and have the New York Knicks move past them in the standings.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat loom as potentially very difficult first-round matchups for a Bucks team that currently has Giannis Antetokounmpo’s playing status for the first round of the playoffs in doubt. Meanwhile, either the Magic or Pacers are likely to finish sixth in the conference. Facing those two teams may be what the Bucks prefer even though they may have had their fair share of difficulties against the Pacers this season.
Khris Middleton’s injury status vs. Thunder
The past two seasons have been rough for Khris Middleton on the injury front. Middleton began the season on a strict minutes restriction, but he seems to be trending up exactly when the Bucks have needed him to. He has been taking on a heavier workload as of late, which may be the reason why he is listed as “questionable” on the injury report, so they could manage his ankle injury.
The good news for the Bucks is Middleton will suit up and play, along with Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez.
Given how important keeping Middleton healthy is amid uncertainty regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s no surprise that the Bucks are exercising caution with the veteran forward.
Malik Beasley may be tasked to shoulder as big of a workload on offense as he can if the Bucks’ key guys end up resting against OKC.
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