Two key members of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship team who will remain on the club’s 2023-2024 roster may not be available for the club’s first meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers, scheduled for tonight at Crypto. com Arena.
Oft-injured Bucks swingman Khris Middleton has already been ruled out with a lingering left ankle sprain, according to the NBA’s latest injury report. He missed more games than he played this season, as has often been the case in the 3-and-D game in recent years. I don’t understand why the Bucks thought they had to stick with this guy under the new $102 million contract they signed last summer. More worryingly, if you’re in Milwaukee, All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo could also sit out.
The Greek madman, a sleeper MVP candidate behind favorites Nikola Jokic and Sha Gilgeous-Alexander, is battling left Achilles tendinitis but is considered probable. Middleton and Antetokounmpo are the only rotation players unavailable. Two-way players Jaylin Galloway, Ryan Rollins and TyTy Washington are all on the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, as is young regular Chris Livingston.
Topping the Bucks, now led by Antetotokounmpo and All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, would be a great late-season feather in the middle for the Lakers..
