Milwaukee Bucks: Malcolm Brogdon set to return for Game 5 against Celtics
By Adam McGee
As the Milwaukee Bucks set their sights on securing a spot in the Conference Finals, Malcolm Brogdon is set to return from injury for Wednesday’s Game 5.
Wednesday night’s Game 5 against the Boston Celtics already held the potential to be a particularly momentous occasion for the Milwaukee Bucks, but the team looks set to receive a further boost ahead of the opening tip.
Having been sidelined with a foot injury since the Bucks’ March 15 road win over the Miami Heat, Malcolm Brogdon is expected to return to action for what Milwaukee will hope is the final act of their second round series.
Malcolm Brogdon will be listed as probable and is expected to play in Game 5, the team announced at shoot around this morning. A plantar fascia tear had sidelined Brogdon since March 15.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 8, 2019
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The news was announced by the team, while further confirmation from head coach Mike Budenholzer was relayed simultaneously as he spoke to the assembled media ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Although officially still listed as probable, that represents a significant upgrade from Milwaukee’s original injury report on Tuesday night which had listed Brogdon as out.
According to Budenholzer, Brogdon’s return will come on a minutes restriction, and with the combo guard coming off the bench. Brogdon has been a key piece of Milwaukee’s juggernaut starting five this season, but it’s no surprise that Nikola Mirotic will retain his spot with that group while Brogdon continues to work his way back up to full speed.
Brogdon has been taking part in full practice, having resumed five-on-five activity over a week ago, and many speculated that Budenholzer was exercising an extra degree of caution in holding him out through the first four games of this series.
In many ways, it does make sense for Brogdon to be reintroduced at this juncture, though, as Game 5 will give him the opportunity to return in front of a home crowd, and with the outcome of the series currently well under control for his teammates. As Milwaukee needs just one win from the next three games, if all goes to plan, Brogdon may well get a chance to get some minutes under his belt before being afforded more off-time to get ready ahead of a potential Conference Finals series.
For the Bucks, a bench that has performed spectacularly well in recent games now offers an even greater threat, and one that the Celtics likely would have preferred to avoid as they strive for an improbable comeback.
Milwaukee’s 7-1 record in the postseason to date is impressive, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that it has been achieved without a key starter, who joined the illustrious 50-40-90 club this season.
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Brogdon’s return is a major moment as the Bucks continue their pursuit of an NBA championship, and first and foremost, the hope will be that his presence can give the team an extra boost and a series-closing win on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.