Bucks enter another uncertain stretch with Giannis sidelined

Giannis is unquestionably the core that powers the Bucks. Aside from their strong showing against the Warriors earlier this season, Milwaukee has often appeared disjointed whenever he is absent. Even when he’s playing, the team loses rhythm whenever he steps to the bench. If he is forced to miss significant time, the Bucks will confront a major challenge.

Bucks hobbled by injury troubles early in the season

The Bucks have already been hit hard by injuries this season. Kevin Porter Jr. logged only a handful of minutes before dealing with an ankle issue and later a meniscus injury when he tried to ramp back up.

Taurean Prince is sidelined indefinitely after neck surgery to fix a herniated disc. Now, Giannis could be forced to miss time with a groin strain, adding to Milwaukee’s growing list of concerns.

Nothing is guaranteed with Giannis at this point. His history of recovering quickly suggests he might suit up again sooner than most players would. Even so, the Bucks are expected to take a careful approach to his rehab because they need him at full strength later in the season.

A chance for the “others” to step up

Myles Turner has delivered a mix of strong outings and quiet nights, and this stretch would give him a chance to embrace a heavier role on both ends of the floor. Bobby Portis has taken a noticeable step back this year, but an expanded workload could help him prove that his slump is only temporary.

The Bucks will have to reshape parts of their game plan because so much of what they run depends on Giannis’ presence. Still, their win over Golden State demonstrated that they can remain competitive even when he is unavailable. At this point, the team can only wait for a more detailed update on his groin issue and determine their next steps once they know the severity.

If the Greek Freak sits out a few games, the rest of the roster will have to carry more of the load and keep the team moving forward until he returns.