Milwaukee Bucks: Matthew Dellavedova to miss 3-4 weeks with ankle injury
By Adam McGee
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Matthew Dellavedova is scheduled to miss 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury.
The point guard injury problems continue to pile up for the Milwaukee Bucks.
After losing Malcolm Brogdon for 6-8 weeks with a partially torn left quadricep tendon on Thursday night, Matthew Dellavedova went down with an ankle injury in the Bucks’ Sunday morning game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Dellavedova had been sent home from Milwaukee’s current road trip for further evaluation, and according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Haynes on Tuesday, the Australian guard is set for a spell on the sidelines.
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According to Haynes, Dellavedova has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 ankle sprain and is scheduled to miss 3-4 weeks.
"“Milwaukee guard Matthew Dellavedova is expected to be sidelined 3-4 weeks with a Grade 3 right ankle sprain, league sources tell ESPN. The backup point sustained the injury Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, the first game of a four-game road trip. He was sent home to undergo further testing.An MRI on Tuesday revealed a bone bruise, sources say.”"
Dellavedova’s role with the Bucks had generally increased in recent weeks, thanks to injuries to Brogdon and Eric Bledsoe, and in that time Dellavedova had provided a reminder of what he can offer to the team in terms of encouraging ball movement and providing spacing.
The 27-year-old’s influence in the locker room is often spoken about by Bucks teammates too, as Dellavedova has championship winning experience from his time in Cleveland, and in a relatively young team has plenty to offer from a leadership perspective.
With Dellavedova expected to spend at least 3-4 weeks on the sideline, leadership will be the least of Milwaukee’s problems, though. Brogdon and Dellavedova’s absences leave Eric Bledsoe as the only recognized point guard on a full NBA contract on Milwaukee’s roster.
Two-way player Xavier Munford will certainly be asked to pick up a greater share of minutes, but with the Bucks down two guards for the best part of a month, Munford’s NBA-eligible days will be in danger of running out during that time.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Grades and reactions for the Tyler Zeller trade
As a result, in spite of a Monday night deal to bolster their options at center with Tyler Zeller, the Bucks may yet be forced to explore further options in terms of acquiring a player at point guard too.