To say that the Milwaukee Bucks will be shorthanded for Friday night's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets would be a complete understatement. Reports state that the rest of the starting five will literally join superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the sidelines due to varying injuries.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Giannis, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo have all been ruled out for the contest against the Hornets.
Middleton and Lopez are out as well, per Mike Budenholzer.
I didn't include P.J. Tucker on this initial list either. He is still out with a left calf strain. https://t.co/8q3KGwL60h
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 9, 2021
Talk about an injury crisis. Guys like Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Jeff Teague are expected to log heavy minutes for a decimated Bucks roster as they try to scrape out a win against the Hornets.
Milwaukee is coming off a 116-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, and the fact that Friday's bout against Charlotte is the second night of a back-to-back set likely factored in to the team's decision to sit out most of their guys.
Middleton, Holiday, Lopez and DiVincenzo were all in action on Thursday, so as it appears all four are currently dealing with minor injuries. Most, if not all of them, could be able to return as early as Sunday's game against the Orlando Magic.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, has been dealing with a knee injury and Friday's absence will be the reigning MVP's fourth consecutive game out. It does sound like the Greek Freak is set to return sooner rather than later, though, with the Bucks just opting to take an extremely cautious approach on their star–and rightfully so.
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