Injured Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out for Bucks in matchup against Bulls

Antetokounmpo sat out his second straight game due to back spasms, marking his fourth absence of the season. Despite participating in the pregame shootaround, the two-time MVP was ultimately ruled out by the Bucks.

Lillard missed his third game in a row — this time because of a non-COVID illness. The eight-time All-Star sat out the previous two with a strained right calf, which coach Doc Rivers said is “much better.”

As for Antetokounmpo?

“He just had to feel better, and he didn’t, so we just sat him down,” Rivers said.

Khris Middleton was available after playing Friday and Saturday in a loss at Cleveland and win over Washington. He had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds against the Wizards in his best performance since missing the first 21 games following offseason surgery on both ankles.
Advertisement

The Bucks had won 14 of 18, including their victory over Oklahoma City NBA Cup final, entering the game at Chicago after a 2-8 start. The Cup final does not count in the regular-season record.

“I don’t think this team ever was fazed by it,” Rivers said. “We believe that we’re gonna be a good team. We had to find the right combinations as a coaching staff to use, and we were in search of that. Our guys had to buy into our defense. We completely overhauled our defense, and it helps when the ball goes in.”