The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from their embarrassing 124-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night by defeating the lowly Washington Wizards 112-101. Power forward Bobby Portis led the team with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high eight assists. Khris Middleton played in a season-high 24 minutes and had a season-high 18 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists.
What was most impressive about Milwaukee’s victory was that they played the game without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Giannis missed the game due to his right knee tendinopathy, which has been plaguing him all season.
Lillard, who also missed the game against Cleveland, missed his second straight game with a right calf strain.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Have Been Leading the Milwaukee Bucks
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11), guard Damian Lillard (0) and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrate after winning the Emirates NBA Cup championship game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada
As Bucks fans are well-aware, Giannis is the NBA’s leading scorer this season, averaging 32.7 points per game. He also is averaging 11.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. His incredible performances on both ends of the floor have many fans calling for him to not only win his third NBA MVP Award this year, but also his second Defensive Player of the Year.
Lillard has been having a much better season this year than he did a year ago following his trade from the Portland Trailblazers. In his first season in a Bucks uniform, Lillard averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 42/35/92 from the floor.
While these numbers are by no means bad, they are down from what fans have grown to expect from Lillard, who like Giannis is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
This year, though, he is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting an improved 45/37/92 from the floor.
Damian Lillard Could Return for the Milwaukee Bucks as Early as Monday
Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (20) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones
Lillard being unable to play in the two games following Milwaukee’s NBA Cup Finals win led to much criticism from fans. Many feel that the NBA Cup is meaningless and that players getting hurt, especially star players, is not worth them playing in the final game of the in-season tournament, which does not count towards the NBA regular season record.
Fortunately, it does not sound like Lillard will be out for much longer. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that his star point guard could be back in action as early as Monday:
As one can see from Nehm’s X post, Lillard worked out with the team today and felt pretty good. The Bucks have a day off on Sunday before they take on the Chicago Bulls on Monday in what will be their third game in four days.
Hopefully both Lillard and Giannis will be back for that matchup.
