Bucks vs Pacers post-game reaction to Game 1 of playoff series
Jim Owczarski, Dustin Dopirak and JR Radcliffe look back at Milwaukee Bucks’ 109-94 win over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference NBA playoff opener.
UPDATE: Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Game 2 of the playoff series on Tuesday night
The Milwaukee Bucks returned to the court Monday afternoon at the Sports Science Center for a film session and walkthrough after their 109-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the first game of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Giannis Antetokounmpo went through a “pretty good, brisk workout” on Sunday before Game 1. It was his fourth straight day of some kind of court work.
Antetokounmpo was listed as doubtful to play Tuesday night in the Bucks’ first injury report filing late Monday, which Rivers called a “maintenance day” for the two-time league MVP.
When asked what that looked like, Rivers began by saying, “Honestly, I don’t even go in there (the training room). I could literally not tell you one thing what any of those guys do. I’ve learned, I just stay out the training room. I don’t want to be in there because they may make me get on the table. You’ve seen me walk, right? I don’t know.
“But I know even that is active stuff. I will say that. I know he’s doing physical lifting and moving. But today – I think he’s been on the court four days in a row – I think today is the non-court day, is maybe a better way of saying that.”
Game 2 is Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
More: You can buy a ticket to Game 2 of the Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers playoff series for as little as $35
As for Damian Lillard, who scored a Bucks franchise record 35 points in the first half of the Bucks’ 15-point win, he got through his 38 minutes OK physically. He had missed practices last week as he recovered from left adductor and Achilles tendon soreness. Reserve guard AJ Green had also missed practice time last week with a sprained left ankle but was back at full speed for the opening of the series. He played five minutes in the win.
Bobby Portis appeared to be limping a bit during Game 1 also, but no other Bucks other than Antetokounmpo were on their first injury report listing.
“Everybody health-wise was great today,” Rivers said. “We didn’t do enough to know if anybody was hurt, but the report back, the post(game) health report was good last night.”
When did Giannis get hurt?
April 9, in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics. Antetokounmpo inbounded the ball and began to stride up the court before hesitating and sitting on the court.
When will Giannis return?
That is undetermined, though Rivers had said early on the Bucks had been encouraged by his progress. Antetokounmpo was in a walking boot for the team’s home finale on April 10 but was without it on Sunday.
Lillard suffered a strained soleus in 2022 and missed 15 days before returning to action.
What is the soleus muscle?
Antetokounmpo suffered a strain of the left soleus muscle, which is one of a trio of muscles in the lower leg that are commonly referred to as the calf. The soleus is the deeper of the muscles. The gastrocnemius and plantaris are the other muscles. The soleus and the gastrocnemius come together at the Achilles tendon.
Why Giannis missed Game 1
The Bucks did not rule Antetokounmpo out for the first game of the series until pregame on Sunday. He had not practiced the entire week and did not warm up before the game, but Rivers had said practicing would not be required for Antetokounmpo to play.
“He got some shooting in (Saturday), he’s moving on the floor, so he looks better for sure,” Rivers said before the game.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
- 1-0 in the 2024 playoffs after Sunday’s win. Over his career, the Bucks are 4-2 in playoff games he misses.
- 4-5 in the 2023-24 regular season, which included victories over playoff teams Phoenix, Orlando and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Bucks also held on to beat the Celtics on April 9 when Antetokounmpo exited the game early with the injury.