The Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to duel at Target Center. Right before the game, the Bucks made a sudden lineup change that will drastically hurt their chances of securing the win.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was a late scratch due to knee soreness, the team announced hours before tip-off. He had played in each of the Bucks' last 12 games and has played 59 games so far this season. The two-time MVP has been enjoying a typically dominant season and is in a three-man race with Joel Embiid and LeBron James for the scoring title. He is currently in second place with 29.8 points per game.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer explained that Antetokounmpo sitting out is a part of managing his health and that he has gotten banged up recently. He didn't sound like there was a firm timeline for how long he will be out. They have a two-game homestand coming up, with the first game scheduled for Tuesday.

Milwaukee has not had very good injury luck this season. Their fortunes are beginning to turn, with Brook Lopez returning to action this past week after missing nearly the entire season and Pat Connaughton returning to action after a month-long absence. As the playoff picture begins to shape up, this is the best time for the Bucks to protect their key players and allow them to rest.

The Bucks, at 44-26, are second in the Eastern Conference. While Karl-Anthony Towns and the red-hot Timberwolves may cause them problems today, it's worth letting Antetokounmpo rest up before the playoffs, where the Bucks will truly need to be at full strength.