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    Bucks' Doc Rivers Casts Doubt on Giannis' Return from Injury for Game 4 vs. Pacers

    Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVApril 27, 2024

    INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on from the bench in the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
    Dylan Buell/Getty Images

    Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to play in the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round series against the Indiana Pacers as he recovers from a calf injury. And it doesn't sound like he'll be back for Game 4 either.

    "He's working out tomorrow," head coach Doc Rivers told reporters on Saturday. "Going to go hard early and then we're going to make a decision."

    But when asked about the possibility of Giannis playing in Game 4, Rivers added, "I doubt it. But we'll see."

    The bad news for the Bucks in this series is that they already trail the Pacers, 2-1, with Game 4 in Indiana. Antetokounmpo not playing would be an even worse development.

    And it gets downright grim for them given the possibility that Damian Lillard could also miss the contest with an Achilles injury suffered in Game 3, an issue that currently has him in a walking boot.

    Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

    Lillard has played through significant soreness in his Achilles tendon in recent weeks, and reaggravated the injury late in fourth quarter of Game 3 loss Friday night. Bucks now facing likelihood of playing without Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. <a href="https://t.co/kbwJjlXz84">https://t.co/kbwJjlXz84</a>

    "We don't know yet," Rivers told reporters regarding Lillard's Game 4 status. "Not looking great."

    Bucks' Doc Rivers Casts Doubt on Giannis' Return from Injury for Game 4 vs. Pacers
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    He also confirmed that the star point guard underwent an MRI on the injury.

    "Yeah, he did," he said. "They're going to give us the results soon, so we should know a little bit later today."

    With both Antetokounmpo and Lillard in the lineup this season, the Bucks went 44-21 and outscored opponents by 10.2 points per 100 possessions while the pair shared the court, according to NBA.com.

    The Pacers were already a tough matchup for the Bucks, winning the regular-season series, 4-1. And Indiana managed to survive Khris Middleton's heroics in Game 3 to snatch the advantage in the postseason matchup.

    NBA @NBA

    MIDDLETON TIES THE GAME AT 111 🤯🤯🤯<br><br>PACERS BALL... 1.4 SECONDS REMAINING ON ESPN 🍿 <a href="https://t.co/yXyV8nMQqj">pic.twitter.com/yXyV8nMQqj</a>

    br_betting @br_betting

    TYRESE HALIBURTON CALLS GAME.<br><br>PACERS (-240 ML) HOLD OFF THE BUCKS IN OVERTIME TO TAKE GAME 3 😤<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/FDSportsbook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FDSportsbook</a>) <a href="https://t.co/ntp9iGLWXd">pic.twitter.com/ntp9iGLWXd</a>

    It's hard to imagine the Bucks winning on the road without Dame and the Greek Freak. It's also hard to imagine them then winning three straight games against a Pacers team that has given them issues all season long.

    Milwaukee's season feels like it is on life support at the moment. Antetokounmpo's injury, in particular, has completely altered the trajectory of their postseason.