Bad news for the Bucks, who, with ten days left before the playoffs begin, lose their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, due to a calf strain in his left leg. Despite the Greek’s injury, the 2021 NBA champions beat the best team in the league, the Celtics, 104-91.
Anteto, who so far had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, was injured only in the third quarter. The Greek has a calf strain and, depending on the grade, may miss the playoffs. A grade I injury would keep him out for two weeks; one grade II, between three to six; and a grade III, would keep him out for two months, keeping him away for the rest of the season.
Despite not having their star in the final minutes, the Bucks took advantage of their great start to the game, in which they achieved a 37-21 run with 14 of 19 field goals scored, including eight of ten in triples.
The victory at the Fiserv Forum gives Rivers air, since the Wisconsin franchise had four consecutive losses and six in the last seven games. Furthermore, since he was signed by the Bucks, Rivers has a record of 18 wins and 18 losses, well below the results of Adrian Griffin, his predecessor, who was fired despite having 30 wins and only 13 losses.
To surpass the best team of the regular season, the Wisconsin team was helped by Beverley’s 20 points and ten rebounds and Brook Lopez’s 15 points and ten sacks. Lillard, for his part, is still not starting in the Bucks, as he only reached 12 points. In the Celtics, who are already clear leaders in the East, their two big stars stood out, Jayson Tatum, with 22 points, and Jaylen Brown, with 14 and ten rebounds.
The victory gives air to Doc Rivers’ team, who breaks the bad dynamic that haunted them in the last games. Even so, they have the Knicks only one game away and the Magic and the Cavs, two. The Bucks will fight for second place until the end of the regular season, which will ensure they avoid the Celtics until a hypothetical Conference final. However, they will have to fight without Antetokounmpo, who may miss the playoffs.
