Antetokounmpo doubtful, Young possible for Game 5
Tampa Bay’s Ondrej Palat, left, celebrates with Erik Cernak (81) and Nikita Kucherov after scoring in the third period.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday after undergoing an MRI on his injured left knee.
Bucks officials said the two-time MVP hyperextended his left knee in the third quarter of a 110-88 game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. The Bucks announced Wednesday that an MRI con- firmed that diagnosis and said he’d be listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game.
“We’ll take it day by day and see how he’s doing,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
“When you talk about the range of possibilities, I think where this has landed has to be looked at as a positive,” Budenholzer added. “It’s still a really difficult fall.”
Antetokounmpo was attempting to block a dunk attempt by Atlanta’s Clint Capela when he landed awkwardly. He clutched his knee in obvious pain and remained down for several minutes before walking slowly to the locker room.
He briefly went back to the Bucks’ bench and then returned to the locker room shortly afterward.
The Bucks and Hawks are tied at two games apiece in the Eastern Conference finals heading into Game 5 today in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo has been averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the postseason. Milwaukee went 6-5 in the 11 regular-season games Antetokounmpo missed, including a stretch of six straight games in April when he also was dealing with an injured left knee.
The Hawks, meanwhile, are dealing with another injury that could affect their preparations for Game 5.
Capela, the Hawks’ top rebounder and one of the NBA’s best defensive players, took an inadvertent elbow to the face in the closing minutes of Game 4.
In a postseason filled with significant injures, Capela was struck around his nose and right eye by Bucks guard Sam Merrill on a play under the basket. The Hawks center left the court with a towel over his face and did not return.
Atlanta coach Nate McMillan said he expected to receive an update on Capela’s condition later Wednesday while the Hawks are en route to Milwaukee for Game 5. The series is tied 2-2.
The Hawks evened it up despite missing star guard Trae Young, who injured his right ankle in a freak accident when he stepped on an official’s foot along the sideline in Game 3.
With veteran Lou Williams filling in for Young
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is helped off the court after he was hurt in Game 4vs. Atlanta. and scoring 21 points, the Hawks romped to a dominating win.
McMillan said Young’s status for today’s contest would likely be made shortly before tipoff, just as it was for Game 4.
“He didn’t feel comfortable enough to put pressure on his foot,” the coach said. “We’ll get a report (Wednesday), but I’m sure he’ll be a game-time decision.”
Atlanta has dealt with a rash of injuries all season, most recently losing De’Andre Hunter for the rest of the playoffs after he reinjured his right knee in an opening-round victory over the Knicks. Hunter underwent surgery for a torn lateral meniscus and is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp.
Cam Reddish also missed much of the season with an Achilles injury, but he played a big role in Game 4. In just his second appearance since Feb. 21, the secondyear player scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and had two steals and a block in over 23 minutes of playing time.
“You have to adapt,” McMillan said. “That’s part of coaching. That’s part of the NBA.”
Before Capela was injured, he pulled off an amazing play that sent social media into a frenzy. While falling out of bounds behind the basket, with the shot clock about to expire, he launched one over the backboard with 7-footer Brook Lopez in his face.
Nothing but net. “Sometimes there are plays in a game, either you make or your opponent makes, that you know it may be your night,” McMillan said with a smile. “I think Larry Bird shot a shot liek that, but it wasn’t as deep as Clint’s. Clint was out of bounds and fading away. You just felt like it was gonna be our night when that ball went through.”