The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 without two of their top players, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lillard sustained an Achilles injury in Game 3 and is now wearing a walking boot, while Antetokounmpo has been sidelined with a calf strain for six consecutive games.
Coach Doc Rivers confirmed that both players would be out of the critical game on Sunday, leaving the Bucks at a significant disadvantage. After losing a close Game 3 in overtime, which gave the Pacers a 2-1 series lead, Lillard injured himself late in regulation and was unable to score in overtime. As a result, the Pacers secured the win with an and-1 floater from Tyrese Haliburton.
Without Lillard and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will need to rely on increased production from players like Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez. Although Lillard averaged 24.3 points and seven assists in the regular season, Milwaukee has struggled without him on the floor during playoffs. The team went 1-8 in regular season games that Lillard missed.
It is unclear when Lillard or Antetokounmpo will be able to return to the court, but for now, the Bucks will have to find a way to compete against the Pacers without their two best players in Game 4.