Bucks Mainstay Out for Game 3, Sidekick’s Status in Question

Antetokounmpo has yet to play in the postseason as he continues to rehab the soleus injury that he sustained in the final week of the regular season. A two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star, and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, his continued absence threatens to derail the Bucks’ chances of advancing past the First Round.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Out for Game 3

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Impact

For one, the Greco-Nigerian averaged 30.4 points (on 61.1 percent shooting from the field), 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in 2023-24.

Just from a production standpoint, it’s difficult for any team to replace his multifaceted impact. However, the explosive 7-footer covers a lot of ground on both ends of the floor, and his offensive growth allows him to be an effective scorer. Lillard is arguably the better isolation player due to his ball-handling and three-level scoring. Yet, Antetokounmpo is more efficient due to his touch inside the arc and the inherent difficulty of containing a player with his physical profile.

Consider that in the 2023-24 regular season, Lillard scored 0.96 points per possession on isos and Antetokounmpo scored 0.98 points per possession. That seemingly meager difference balloons when comparing their efficiency. To that point, Lillard shot 38.9 percent from the field on his isolation attempts. Antetokounmpo shot 45.9 percent from the field.

At the other end, the Bucks don’t have any player that can replicate Antetokounmpo’s abilities.

With that said, Antetokounmpo’s absence is one reason that the Bucks have been unable to slow down Pacers star Pascal Siakam. After averaging 21.7 points per game in the regular season, Siakam is averaging 36.5 points per game in the First Round. For further reference, his previous playoff career-high was 22.8 points per game.

Dominating Milwaukee inside the arc, he’s proven too quick for either Khris Middleton or Brook Lopez.

Khris Middleton’s Status in Question

Speaking of Middleton, the Bucks’ sharpshooter is questionable for Game 3. Plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, Middleton sprained his ankle in the first quarter of Game 2. Though he played the rest of that game, he didn’t participate in the Bucks’ practice the following day.

Asked about Middleton’s status for their upcoming playoff battle, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers says, “It’s another holding our breath situation, so honestly, I don’t know” (h/t The Athletic’s Eric Nehm).

Middleton has averaged 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists per game on 53.6 percent shooting from the field thus far this postseason. However, he’s shooting just 28.6 percent from 3 as a career 38.8 percent 3-point shooter. Middleton’s numbers should eventually start to creep up to their norm, but it’s less likely if he’s elevating off of a bum ankle.

That said, the Bucks could opt to let Middleton sit for precautionary reasons, taking the long view on their postseason.