The Milwaukee Bucks bounced back from an embarrassing 124-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night by beating 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 a season-high 24 minutes and had 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
What was most impressive about Milwaukee’s victory was that they played without stars: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Giannis missed the game with right knee tendinopathy, which has plagued him throughout the season.
Lillard, who also missed the game against Cleveland, missed his second straight game with a right calf strain.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard lead the Milwaukee Bucks
As Bucks fans are well aware, Giannis is the NBA’s leading scorer this season, averaging 32.7 points per game. His per game averages are 11.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks. His incredible performances on both ends of the floor had many fans calling for him to not only win his third NBA MVP award this year, but also win his second Defensive Player of the Year award.
Lillard is having a much better season this year than he did last year after joining the Portland Trailblazers. In his first season with the Bucks, 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 aren’t bad at all, they are lower than what fans have come to expect from Lillard, who, like Giannis, is a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team.
However, this year he is averaging 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, and his efficiency is 45/37/92 from the floor.
Damian Lillard could return to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday
Lillard’s absence for two games after Milwaukee’s victory in the NBA Cup Finals was met with much criticism from fans. Many believe that the NBA Cup is pointless and that injuries to players, especially stars, are not worth them playing in the final game of the intraseason tournament, which does not count towards the NBA regular season record.
Fortunately, it doesn’t look like Lillard will be sidelined much longer. According to Eric Nehm z AthleteHead coach Doc Rivers told reporters his star quarterback could return to action as soon as Monday:
Is there a timetable for Damian Lillard’s return?
Dr. Rivers: “No. He could play as early as Monday or right after in Chicago, so he’s close. He exercised today and felt pretty good.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 22, 2024
As you can see from X Nehm’s post, Lillard practiced with the team today and was feeling pretty good. The Bucks have a day off on Sunday before they face the Chicago Bulls on Monday in their third game in four days.
Let’s hope both Lillard and Giannis return for this matchup.
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