Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis on NBA sixth man award
Bobby Portis has met all the criteria to be the NBA sixth man of the year for 2023-24 – an award he covets – but he’s skeptical about his chances.
Lori Nickel
WASHINGTON DC – The Milwaukee Bucks look to strengthen their grip on the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race when they take on the Washington Wizards tonight at Capital One Arena.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 pm
The Bucks (47-27) are three games clear of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the loss column for the second seed in the conference with eight games to play. The Wizards (14-61) have lost three straight.
Is Giannis playing tonight?
The Bucks star is likely to play with left hamstring tendinopathy – which can be swelling and/or pain in the area that connects the hamstring to the bone. Antetokounmpo has been managing the injury since March 21. He first felt discomfort in his hamstring on March 10. Antetokounmpo has missed two games in that time.
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Damian Lillard ruled out with a new injury
Following the Bucks’ loss in New Orleans on March 28, Damian Lillard met with the media with stitches in his lower lip. He talked about getting kneed in one of his calves.
One injury he didn’t volunteer was a right groin strain, which caused him to be ruled out Tuesday night in Washington. It is the first time the all-star has been listed with that injury this season. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before the game in Washington that the all-star point guard is already in Milwaukee.
“It’s something you gotta be careful with,” Rivers said of the injury. “Not a concern. Everything came out well in all his tests. He may even play tomorrow. But, it would be tomorrow or Toronto (on Friday), most likely.”
Lillard missed Milwaukee’s win in Atlanta on April 30 due to personal reasons.
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Bucks injury report
- Damian Lillard, out (right groin strain)
- Jaylin Galloway, out (right ankle sprain)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (left hamstring tendinopathy, which is swelling and/or pain in the area that connects the hamstring to the bone)
- Khris Middleton, probable (right ankle sprain)
- Pat Beverley, probable (right wrist sprain)
- MarJon Beauchamp, probable (back spasms)
Bucks probable starting lineup
- Guards: Malik Beasley, Pat Beverley
- Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton
- Center: Brook Lopez
What is the Bucks magic number?
2 That clinch the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. out for Wizards
Sussex native and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee alumnus Patrick Baldwin Jr. will not play Tuesday night against the Bucks, as he has been assigned to Washington’s G League team to help their playoff run. He is joined on the Capital City Go-Go by Milwaukee native Michael Foster Jr., who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds for the developmental squad in its regular season.
Baldwin Jr. has played in 32 games (four starts) for the Wizards this season, shooting 27.7% from behind the three-point line and averaging 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Originally drafted by Golden State in the first round in 2022, Baldwin Jr. was part of an offseason trade that also sent Milwaukee native Jordan Poole to Washington for point guard Chris Paul.
Bucks vs. Wizards odds, over/under
Milwaukee is a 12.5-point favorite over Washington, and the over/under is 227.5 points per BetMGM.
