| News |
|---|
|
Jericho Sims Jericho Sims (thumb) off injury report Saturday
Fri, Apr 18, 2025, 10:36 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jericho Sims (thumb) is not on the injury report for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday.
Analysis: Head coach Doc Rivers said on Tuesday that he expected Sims to be available for this series. He missed the final month of the regular season with a torn ligament in his right thumb, but he will available to return for the postseason. However, with Bobby Portis back from his suspension, Sims' role will be minimal. |
|
Damian Lillard Shams: Lillard cleared of deep vein thrombosis
Thu, Apr 17, 2025, 7:34 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard has been cleared of his deep vein thrombosis and is no longer on blood-thinning medication.
Analysis: Charania also reported that this is an incredibly quick recovery for Lillard that was made possible by early treatment. It is an excellent development for both Dame and the Bucks. He has been ruled out for Game 1 against the Pacers on Saturday, and they will give him time to ramp up before he returns to the lineup. It's unclear what that timeline looks like, but Lillard is certainly on pace to return sooner rather than later. Ryan Rollins should continue to start in place of Dame until he returns. |
|
Jericho Sims Rivers: Jericho Sims (thumb) should be available
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 10:07 AM
Eric Nehm
On Tuesday, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Jericho Sims (thumb) should be available for the team's first-round series against the Pacers.
Analysis: Sims suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb in mid-March, with the team giving him a four-week timeline after undergoing surgery. The reserve center participated in most of Tuesday's practice, sparking optimism that he will be available. However, with Brook Lopez due to play most of the minutes and Bobby Portis back from his 25-game suspension, there won't be many minutes available to Sims. |
|
Damian Lillard Shams: Damian Lillard will miss start of playoffs
Tue, Apr 15, 2025, 6:33 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard (blood clot) will miss the start of the playoffs.
Analysis: Lillard will miss the beginning of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Pacers. The star guard hasn't played in nearly a month but has made strides toward returning later on in the postseason. |
|
Kyle Kuzma Kyle Kuzma shut down after 22-point first quarter
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 10:36 AM
Kyle Kuzma played 12 minutes in Sunday's win over the Pistons, amassing 22 points (8-of-10 FGs), two rebounds, two assists and five three-pointers.
Analysis: Kuzma was the lone starter on the court for Sunday's regular-season finale and did not get cheated as he went on a heater for a quarter. He was back in street clothes for the second half. While he's had his moments since joining the Bucks at the February trade deadline, Kuzma has not been as impactful as some may have hoped. Milwaukee will need a player closer to the one they saw on Sunday if they're to take down the Pacers in the first round. |
|
Pat Connaughton Pat Connaughton goes off for career-high 43 points
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 10:33 AM
Pat Connaughton shot 16-of-29 from the field and 6-of-9 from the foul line in Sunday's win over the Pistons, scoring 43 points with 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and five three-pointers in 44 minutes.
Analysis: Having been passed in the rotation by AJ Green (6/3/4 with two three-pointers in 19 minutes), one can argue that Connaughton desperately needed a day like Sunday, regardless of the strength of the two teams on the court. Not only did he establish a new career-high point total, but this was also his first game with at least 25 points. Connaughton shot over 50 percent from the field and was also productive in the rebound, assist and steals categories. His role in Milwaukee's first-round series against the Pacers will likely be limited, but Sunday's effort should boost Connaughton's confidence. |
|
Damian Lillard Shams: Damian Lillard will play during playoffs
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 7:00 AM
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard (blood clot) will be cleared to return at some point during the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Analysis: It's unclear how soon Lillard will be cleared to return to the hardwood but an upcoming exam will determine his timetable. Kevin Porter Jr. is averaging 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game without the star point guard this season. |
|
Jamaree Bouyea MIL starting Bouyea, Green, Pat, Kuzma, Nance
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 6:41 AM
NBA Lineups
Jamaree Bouyea, AJ Green, Pat Connaughton, Kyle Kuzma and Pete Nance will start Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: The Bucks are holding out Ryan Rollins, Taurean Prince, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez from Sunday's regular-season finale, as their playoff seeding has been determined. Kuzma is the lone holdover, and it's likely safe to assume that he will not play starters' minutes. Green is the safest bet of the four replacements for fantasy managers in active leagues seeking streamers. |
|
AJ Green AJ Green (shoulder) active Sunday vs. Pistons
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 6:16 AM
AJ Green (shoulder) has been upgraded from out to active for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Green unexpectedly went from being ruled out to being available in less than an hour. The Bucks sharpshooter will likely play a prominent role on Sunday. |
|
AJ Green AJ Green (shoulder) ruled out Sunday vs. Detroit
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 5:43 AM
Eric Nehm
AJ Green (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Green's sprained right shoulder will sideline him for Sunday's regular season finale. Given how many Bucks rotation players are inactive for a game that will not impact playoff seeding, Andre Jackson Jr. will merit consideration in active deep leagues. |
|
Gary Trent Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr. ruled out Sunday
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 5:38 AM
Eric Nehm
Gary Trent Jr. (knee) and Kevin Porter Jr. (wrist) are out against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: With Friday's win over the Pistons, the Bucks secured the fifth seed in the East. They have nothing to play for in Sunday's regular-season finale. Trent and Porter are among the key contributors who will not play, resting up for the start of the playoffs next weekend. Stanley Umude and Jamaree Bouyea should play rotation minutes on Sunday, and both are extremely risky plays in active fantasy leagues. |
|
Taurean Prince Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins out Sunday vs. DET
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 5:35 AM
NBA Injury Report
Taurean Prince (knee) and Ryan Rollins (shoulder) are out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Prince and Rollins are among the Bucks' rotation players nursing injuries, so they will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale. Milwaukee secured the fifth seed in the East with its win over Detroit on Friday. Andre Jackson Jr. and Pat Connaughton have not impacted fantasy basketball this season, but they're among the Bucks who will be available on Sunday and should log significant minutes. |
|
Kyle Kuzma Kyle Kuzma (ankle) active Sunday vs. DET
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 5:34 AM
Kyle Kuzma (injury management) is active for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Kuzma is one of the Bucks' few healthy rotation players ahead of Sunday's game. He'll likely get plenty of looks for his shorthanded squad. |
|
Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) ruled out Sunday
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 5:31 AM
Eric Nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Having secured the fifth seed in the East with their win over the Pistons on Friday, the Bucks will rest most of their key contributors on Sunday. That includes Antetokounmpo, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury. Kyle Kuzma is the lone starter who will be available, but fantasy managers in active leagues should not expect to see him take on a full workload. Bobby Portis and Chris Livingston are also available, with the former being a tricky fantasy play due to his importance to the Bucks. |
|
Brook Lopez Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis out vs. Detroit Sunday
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 9:11 AM
NBA Injury Report
Brook Lopez (rest) and Bobby Portis (rest) have been ruled out against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: Both of the Bucks' center options will sit out the regular season finale. They don't have any other true centers, so managers should expect to see some smaller lineups featuring Kyle Kuzma, Chris Livingston and Tyler Smith at center. |
|
Kyle Kuzma Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins probable vs. Detroit
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 9:08 AM
NBA Injury Report
Kyle Kuzma (ankle) and Ryan Rollins (shoulder) are probable to play against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: Kuz and Rollins are the only typical starters that are expected to be available for Milwaukee against Detroit. It's unclear how much they will play, but they should continue to start to close out the regular season. Kuzma may have to spend time at center with both Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis sidelined. |
|
Taurean Prince Taurean Prince, AJ Green doubtful vs. Detroit
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 9:04 AM
NBA Injury Report
Taurean Prince (knee) and AJ Green (shoulder) are doubtful to play against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: Both wings are expected to be sidelined for the regular season finale. With Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. also doubtful, Pat Connaughton, Andre Jackson Jr. and Stanley Umude should play significant roles. |
|
Kevin Porter Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. doubtful Sunday
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 9:02 AM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Porter Jr. (wrist) and Gary Trent Jr. (knee) are doubtful to play against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: Both reserves are expected to sit out the regular season finale, which isn't surprising with the Bucks having clinched the fifth seed in the East. Stanley Umude and Andre Jackson Jr. should play significant roles for the shorthanded Bucks. |
|
Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) doubtful vs. DET
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 8:58 AM
NBA Injury Report
Giannis Antetokounmpo (shoulder) is doubtful to play against the Pistons on Sunday.
Analysis: Unsurprisingly, Antetokounmpo is expected to sit out with Milwaukee already locked in as the fifth seed in the East. Giannis will take an extra day off to prepare for their first-round matchup with the Pacers. Rookie Tyler Smith should get a chance to shine with Antetokounmpo and most of the rest of the Bucks rotation expected to sit out. |
|
Kevin Porter Kevin Porter Jr. has 16/4/7 line in win Friday
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 3:39 PM
Kevin Porter Jr. had 16 points (5-of-12 FGs), four rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two three-pointers against the Pistons on Friday.
Analysis: Porter Jr. continues to be a revelation in the season's final two weeks. The 24-year-old point guard came off the bench Friday, but played 31 minutes, more than every starter not named Giannis Antetokounmpo. While Porter Jr. has certainly benefited from the absence of Damian Lillard, he's also been a top-50 fantasy player over the last two weeks. He's made the most of his opportunity and that shouldn't go unnoticed. |
Connect With Us:
