Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Khris Middleton ruled out tonight vs. Nets. What is Giannis' status?
The Milwaukee Bucks look to bounce back from a tough loss in Boston when they take on the Brooklyn Nets at 7 p.m. Thursday at Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 44-25 record, one game clear of Cleveland in the loss column. Brooklyn is out of the postseason picture at 26-43, and will play its 16th game under interim head coach Kevin Ollie. Jacque Vaughn was fired after 54 games.
Is Giannis playing?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is available after going through his pregame warmup routine Thursday night at Fiserv Forum. He began the day questionable to play with left hamstring tendinopathy. Before sitting out March 17 against Phoenix and Wednesday against Boston, the 29-year-old had only missed three games in his previous 67.
Antetokounmpo said he first felt the hamstring March 10 in Los Angeles but played the next two games in Sacramento (March 12) and against Philadelphia (March 14). He was questionable to play against Phoenix and warmed up before the game before ultimately shutting it down and leaving the arena.
He began Wednesday as questionable to play, but didn't travel to Boston before being ruled out. but head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo got in some light court work at the Sports Science Center.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
3-2.
Is Khris Middleton playing?
No. Middleton played just under 33 minutes against Boston on Wednesday in his second game back from a severe left ankle sprain, and he'll sit out against the Nets. Before missing 16 games with the ankle sprain, Middleton missed seven games on back-to-backs. He only played consecutive games once, on Jan. 3-4.
"Just not worth it," Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said of holding Middleton out. "He could play, if I'm being honest. But why? He just played last night, he's been out all these games, he's been playing great. We just want to keep him where he's at."
What is the Bucks record without Middleton?
16-8.
Bucks injury report
Giannis Antetokounmpo, available (left hamstring tendinopathy)
Khris Middleton, out (left ankle injury management)
Bucks probable starters
Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
Forwards: Jae Crowder, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center: Brook Lopez
Head coach Doc Rivers addressed how he comes up with a starting lineup when players the caliber of Middleton and Antetokounmpo are unavailable.
"It comes down to matchups," he said. "And, you don't like -- honestly -- adjusting to other teams. But when you have your key guys out then you always try to match up to what you think is most favorable to you against the team you're playing. So, that's what we would do if they're both out."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks injury report: Middleton ruled out vs. Nets. What is Giannis' status?
