Thunder lead Bucks 69-52 at halftime

Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Milwaukee Bucks knew they would finish the regular season without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered a strained left soleus (calf) muscle on Tuesday.

On Friday, all-star point guard Damian Lillard was ruled out with soreness in a left adductor muscle, which is on the inside of the thigh, for the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m.

The Bucks (49-31) still have a lot to play for with two games remaining in the regular season, as they can either claim the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference or tumble down to the fourth seed. But, they at least have clinched homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Thunder (55-25) are one of the best home teams in the NBA and still have a chance to earn the top seed in the Western Conference.

A 20-5 run late in the second quarter helped the Thunder take a 69-52 lead into the break, a stretch where the Bucks turned it over four times and made just two shots. Brook Lopez leads Milwaukee with 13 points while three players reached double figures for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City took a 41-34 lead after the first quarter thanks to a 10-for-10 mark from the free throw line and 14 points by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Bucks shot 54% from the floor and Brook Lopez had eight points.

Jae Crowder will start for an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Antetokounmpo is out the rest of the regular season with a strained left soleus muscle.
Jae Crowder will start for an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Antetokounmpo is out the rest of the regular season with a strained left soleus muscle.

Bucks injury report

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left soleus strain)

  • Damian Lillard, out (left adductor soreness)

  • AJ Green, out (left ankle sprain)

  • Jaylin Galloway, out (right ankle sprain)

  • Thanasis Antetokounmpo, questionable (left hamstring soreness)

  • MarJon Beauchamp, probable (left ankle sprain)

  • Khris Middleton, available (left ankle injury management)

  • Bobby Ports, available (rest)

  • Brook Lopez, available (rest)

Bucks playoffs: What to know about seed, schedule, 2024 Eastern Conference standings, bracket, record and more

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update

The Bucks star suffered a painful strain of his left soleus muscle in his calf in the third quarter of the Bucks’ victory over Boston on Tuesday in Milwaukee. He began to run up the court and fell without contact. He passed an Achilles tendon test that night in the arena and an MRI was done to determine the severity of the strain. The team has not released a timeline for his return but did immediately rule him out for the remaining four games of the regular season.

What is the Bucks record without Giannis?

4-3

What is the Bucks record without Damian Lillard?

1-7

Bucks starting lineup

  • Guards: Malik Beasley, Pat Beverley

  • Forwards: Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis

  • Center: Brook Lopez

Bucks vs. Thunder odds, over/under

Oklahoma City is a 14.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, and the over/under is 223.5 points, per BetMGM.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thunder lead Bucks 69-52 at halftime

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