Bucks listing Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo as doubtful

ByJAMAL COLLIER
April 27, 2024, 6:29 PM

INDIANAPOLIS --  Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard is doubtful for Game 4 of the team's first-round series Sunday against the Indiana Pacers because of an Achilles injury. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has not played in this series because of a calf strain, also is doubtful, according to the team. 

Lillard was wearing a walking boot following the Bucks' film session Saturday afternoon after agitating the injury near the end of the fourth quarter in Game 3 on Friday. He was grabbing at his leg after a foul on Aaron Nesmith with 6.2 seconds remaining in regulation. He stayed on the floor as Game 3 went into overtime, but he went scoreless and did not attempt a shot.

A source said the injury is a strained right Achilles tendon, as first reported by The Athletic.

Lillard's Achilles has been bothering him for a few weeks. He revealed he had been feeling some discomfort following Milwaukee's regular-season finale in Orlando and then sat out the first few days of practice before the start of the playoffs in order to recover, a break Lillard said helped him feel fresh entering the series.

After Lillard agitated the injury in Game 3, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said he served mostly as a decoy during overtime.

The Bucks trail the Pacers 2-1 in the series. They are now facing the prospect of trying to overcome the series deficit without Lillard and Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo took a scheduled off day Saturday, but Rivers said Antetokounmpo expects to be on the court again Sunday morning ahead of Game 4.

"He's working out [Sunday], going to go hard, early, and then we're going to make a decision," Rivers said Saturday.

Could Antetokounmpo work out in the morning and feel good enough to play in Game 4?

"I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we'll see"