Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard doubtful for Bucks in Game 6 vs. Pacers

Recapping Milwaukee Bucks’ win over Pacers in Game 5 of playoffs

Reporters Ben Steele and Dustin Dopirak look back at Milwaukee’s win over Indiana on Tuesday behind big performances from Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis to extend the playoff series.

INDIANAPOLIS – Just before Midnight CST in Milwaukee on Tuesday night at Fiserv Forum, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was asked about the potential availability of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as the first round series between the Bucks and Indiana Pacers was extended to Thursday evening in Indianapolis .

He paused, silent, for nearly four full seconds before answering – a break that had the TNT studio crew thinking their feed of the broadcast had shortened out.

“I don’t know how to answer that,” Rivers eventually said. “I know I hope. I think they’re very, very, very close.”

But perhaps not close enough for Game 6 on at 5:30 pm CST Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as the pair were officially listed as doubtful to play on Wednesday after arriving in Indianapolis.

But ever since Antetokounmpo first strained his left soleus (calf) muscle on April 9 – and Lillard aggravated his right Achilles tendon in Game 3 on April 26 – Rivers has maintained a level of optimism that the stars could return to play in the opening round series . But as for what he would have needed to see from them Wednesday, either before or after they left Milwaukee, and through Thursday afternoon the coach allowed that “I actually don’t know. I stay out of that part of it. I’m just going by, I know they’re both working out (Wednesday) and then we’ll see.”

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Lillard did go through a shooting routine on the court at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday evening at least, but Antetokounmpo has not been seen on the court in any such capacity since leaving the Celtics game with the injury. He has been working out behind closed doors in some fashion the last two-and-a-half weeks.

Milwaukee must win Game 6 to return to Milwaukee for a decisive Game 7.