Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Damian Lillard is set to return from his two-game absence due to right Achilles tendinitis and he will play in Game 6 against the Pacers on Thursday, according to Turner Sports' Chris Haynes. However, superstar big man Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out due to his calf strain after being called a “game-time decision” by head coach Doc Rivers on Thursday evening.
Antetokounmpo has not played at all against the Pacers due to his calf injury that he suffered near the end of the regular season. Lillard has missed two straight games as a result of Achilles tendinitis.
Prior to Game 6 on Thursday evening, Rivers spoke to reporters and was asked about the status of his two stars. Whereas Lillard was upgraded to questionable for this critical game, Antetokounmpo had not seen his injury status moved from doubtful. Rivers claimed that Giannis was “more doubtful” than Lillard, although both players were classified by Rivers as game-time decisions.
The Bucks currently trail the Pacers 3-2 heading into a pivotal Game 6 matchup in Indianapolis. The return of either LIllard or Giannis to the lineup would be essential for Milwaukee, as they look to keep their postseason hopes alive. In their absence, Khris Middleton has stepped up, scoring at least 25 points and recording at least 10 rebounds in three straight games.
While trailing 3-1 in Game 5 without Lillard and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks looked like a team that still has a lot of fight left in them. Milwaukee defeated Indiana 115-92, becoming the first team to ever win a playoff game with two of their top two scorers from the regular season out.
Middleton has bought the Bucks another day to live, which is why Lillard's return for Game 6 is massive and could change the trajectory of the series.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard play in Game 6?
After the Bucks played the waiting game with their two stars, Giannis has been ruled out on the league's official injury report. Dame is going to suit up and play, but Antetokounmpo will miss yet another game due to his calf injury.
Even though there were reports pointing towards the level of doubt surrounding Giannis and Lillard ahead of Game 6, Rivers told reporters on Tuesday night that he thinks both stars are close to getting back out on the floor.
“I don’t know how to answer that. I know I hope,” Rivers said after Game 5 when asked about the availability of his two stars for Game 6 via Bally Sports Wisconsin. “I think they’re very, very, very close.”
Game 6 on Thursday night is a must-win game for the Bucks if they are to keep their playoff and title hopes alive. A loss on the road to the Pacers would knock the Bucks out of the playoffs in the first round for the second straight season. They have not advanced past the Eastern Conference Semifinals since winning their championship in 2021.
Lillard will suit up and play alongside Middleton as the Bucks look to keep their season alive. Giannis will continue to watch from the sidelines, hoping his teammates give him another chance to return to the floor in what would be a decisive Game 7 in Milwaukee.
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