This time a year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were licking their wounds and contemplating a path forward after a historic first-round collapse against the Miami Heat, in which they became the sixth team to lose to a No. 8 seed in the first round since the league adopted a 16-team playoff format in 1984.ย
Two head coaches, a blockbuster trade and another season later, they are staring another first-round exit in the face. Despite a valiant effort on Sunday night in Indianapolis, they ran out of steam in the fourth quarter of Game 4 and fell to the Indiana Pacers, 126-113.ย
As the Bucks return home, they do so down 3-1 — a deficit they have never overcome in franchise history. Considering the circumstances, it’s unlikely this will be the first time. While last season came to an early end because the players and coaching staff failed in the biggest moments, the Bucks are being done in by sheer bad luck this time around.ย
A missing MVP
In the third quarter of the Bucks’ matchup with the Boston Celtics on April 9, the team was cruising to one of its best wins of the season when Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly collapsed and grabbed for his lower left leg. The initial fear emanating from him, his teammates and the entire arena that night was palpable. Non-contact leg injuries are among the worst sights on a basketball court.ย
Thankfully, the MRI on his leg revealed no Achilles tendon damage, but it did indicate a calf strain that has kept him off the court ever since. It remains unclear when, or if, he’s going to play again this season, and that answer might depend on whether the Bucks can salvage a victory on Tuesday night in Game 5.ย
Antetokounmpo’s workout on Sunday morning “went well,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said. “He moved, He shot. He’s running now with no resistance, so those are all very good signs.” Rivers added that he was “optimistic” that Antetokounmpo would see the floor, but offered no specific timeline.ย
Down goes Lillard
In the lead up to this series, Damian Lillard was not on the practice court with the Bucks. Maintenance was the explanation. Lillard had been battling a few nagging injuries — adductor, groin, Achilles — and the team wanted to be cautious with Antetokounmpo already sidelined. It was not until April 19, two days before Game 1, that Lillard was able to go through a full practice. He admitted he was “concerned” about some of the problems at…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBSSports.com Headlinesโฆ
