Bucks wait on Giannis; Embiid still out; Kings drop another
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Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Sacramento each face key injury concerns as the NBA schedule rolls on.
Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have listed Giannis Antetokounmpo as questionable for Friday’s road game against the New York Knicks because of a strained left adductor. The injury, suffered Nov. 17 in Cleveland, has sidelined the two-time MVP for four full games and most of a fifth. Milwaukee has lost all five contests without him and carries a six-game skid overall.
Head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo lobbied to play Wednesday in Miami, but team doctors advised caution. “He really wanted to push, and that’s who Giannis is,” Rivers told reporters. “At the end of the day, let’s wait. We’ve got to protect him sometimes.” Antetokounmpo turns 31 next week.
76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers will again be without reigning MVP Joel Embiid on Friday in Brooklyn, marking his ninth consecutive absence due to right knee injury management. The club’s injury report also lists Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Trendon Watford (adductor) as out, while rookie guard VJ Edgecombe will miss a third straight game with left calf tightness. Paul George is questionable with a right ankle sprain after sitting out Tuesday’s 41-point loss to Orlando, though he practiced Wednesday.
With multiple rotation players sidelined, Philadelphia continues to search for healthy bodies across the roster.
Kings
The Sacramento Kings followed two wins with a rocky performance Wednesday, falling by 12 after trailing by 25 at the end of the first quarter. Zach LaVine committed turnovers on the team’s first two possessions and finished with 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting plus six giveaways. “We’re frustrated we’re not winning,” LaVine said postgame. “We’re all trying our heart out though. That’s what we get paid for.”
The Kings had snapped an eight-game slide before the latest defeat and continue to look for consistency.
Source: Hoops Wire
