Milwaukee guard Ryan Rollins has known as for the Bucks to undertake a “next-man-up mentality” as they put together for an prolonged spell with out star ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo, beginning with Sunday in opposition to the visiting Dallas Mavericks.
Antetokounmpo expects to overlook 4 to 6 weeks after injuring his proper calf in Milwaukee’s 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
The long-term absence of Antetokounmpo — the Bucks’ nine-time All-Star, two-time NBA MVP and 2021 champion — is a tricky tablet to swallow, significantly given the actual fact Milwaukee has misplaced its previous two video games and 6 of its previous eight.
However Rollins, who scored 21 factors in opposition to Denver, is hoping this adversity will convey out a elevate in Antetokounmpo’s common supporting forged.
“It is robust,” Rollins mentioned. “Particularly (with) us within the place we’re in proper now, for positive, shedding our greatest participant. It is simply (a) next-man-up mentality. We have got to come back on the market, compete each evening and play the suitable approach. If we will try this, I feel now we have a superb likelihood of profitable nonetheless, for positive.”
Antetokounmpo sustained the damage within the first quarter in opposition to the Nuggets, earlier than exiting the sport, then briefly returning and taking part in a complete of 32 minutes, ending with 22 factors, 13 rebounds and 7 assists — game-high totals in every class.
Regardless of taking part in many of the match, Antetokounmpo was not optimistic about his prospects when interviewed afterward.
“After the MRI, they inform me, in all probability, I popped one thing in my calf on my soleus or one thing,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “… That is from my expertise being across the NBA.
“After that, I will work my butt off to come back again. That may in all probability be the tip of February, starting of March. Hopefully, the group performs (properly sufficient) that we will not less than make the play-in or the playoffs. Simply take it daily, get higher.”
AJ Inexperienced (sickness) is listed as questionable to face Dallas, whereas fellow guard Gary Trent Jr. (sickness) is possible.
Mavericks guard Max Christie seems to have shrugged off a scare of his personal after rolling an ankle in his group’s 116-110 dwelling loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, ending Dallas’ season-best four-game win streak.
After main the Lakers 87-79 after three quarters, the Mavs had been swamped 37-23 within the fourth.
“I simply rolled my ankle,” Christie mentioned of his non permanent exit from the competition in opposition to his former group. “I acquired it re-taped and completed the sport. It isn’t severe.”
Christie scored 24 factors, together with 4 3-pointers. He’s in a number of the finest perimeter taking pictures type of his profession, flattening 20 of 38 from deep in his previous 4 outings following a two-game absence with sickness.
“Simply being aggressive,” Christie mentioned of his easy however profitable strategy. “Being aggressive to attain, being aggressive to get to my shot. … If I am aggressive, it will probably result in different teammates in my gravity as properly. Guys (opponents) are going to assist off of me and provides teammates driving lanes. Simply persevering with to be aggressive and persevering with to attempt to keep constant.”
Dallas coach Jason Kidd was left to lament a poor fourth quarter at each ends, which denied his facet a fifth successive victory.
“Defensively, we could not get stops,” he mentioned. “And offensively, down the stretch, we had been 1-for-9. Had some beauty, and likewise had some turnovers, which led to them having the ability to capitalize.”
The Bucks have gained their previous seven conferences with the Mavericks, whose in opposition to the Bucks was on April 3, 2022 in Milwaukee.
–Subject Degree Media
