Milwaukee Bucks: Latest on meeting against the Minnesota Timberwolves

Feb 23, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
Feb 23, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

The Milwaukee Bucks are getting to set to continue their three-game road trip when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday at the Target Center.

However, as the NBA announced Tuesday night, the 7 p.m. CST tip-off has been moved up to 3:30 p.m. CST due to the ongoing protests and curfew in place throughout greater Minneapolis in light of the horrific killing of Daunte Wright that came at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

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This will mark the second consecutive afternoon game for the Timberwolves after their clash against the Brooklyn Nets was postponed Monday night for those same reasons.

Playing without their superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns, who was grieving the one-year anniversary of his mother’s death due to COVID-19, the Timberwolves lost 127-97 Tuesday afternoon.

It remains to be seen whether the Milwaukee Bucks will get reinforcements Wednesday

While the Wolves were playing their game with the Nets, the Bucks were still in Orlando after having picked up a 124-87 victory over the Orlando Magic Sunday night.

Getting a much-needed off day Monday, the Bucks were back at it for a rare practice session Tuesday afternoon in Orlando. And Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that both Giannis Antetokounmpo and P.J. Tucker practiced fully with the rest of the team.

That’s certainly notable for both Bucks players who have been out of action recently. Antetokounmpo has missed the Bucks’ last five contests due to left knee soreness and there’s been a lack of a clear timetable for when he’ll make his return.

As for Tucker, the veteran forward is limited to just 44 minutes since arriving to the Bucks last month and ahead of this year’s trade deadline. Tucker has been out of action for the last 10 games due to a left calf strain and the Bucks have been more clear that the 36-year-old’s injury will take some time to fully overcome.

While both Antetokounmpo and Tucker have returned to practice, it remains to be seen where their respective conditioning levels are at currently. Per the NBA’s latest injury report, Bucks didn’t submit an injury report going into Wednesday’s game, but the circumstances around tip-off moving up may be the basis for that current mystery.

With some afternoon Bucks basketball, Bucks fans will be able to catch the action on Bally Sports Wisconsin when the game tips off at 3:30 p.m. CST or via NBA League Pass for those living out of the area.