3 things to watch as Milwaukee Bucks return home against Indiana Pacers

Who will have to step up in Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence for the Milwaukee Bucks?

Let’s focus long-term for a second, beyond this game. The Bucks will likely be without Middleton and Antetokounmpo for multiple games, so there will be a big burden on the shoulders of the Bucks’ role players to tread water until they can get some reinforcements.

Many were initially fearing the worst regarding Middleton, but head coach Mike Budenholzer said post-game that things seemed positive and that they avoided a serious injury. Jrue Holiday also said that Middleton was in good spirits after the game and the general vibe surrounding the injury was a sense of positivity that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

So, who will need to step up for while their two stars are out?

If there is one position group that hasn’t had much success for the Bucks this season, it’s their wing group. Many of the players in that group have struggled this season, but now they will all collectively be asked to do a bit more.

Rodney Hood had his best game of the season against the New York Knicks but followed it up with a mediocre game against the Celtics. Jordan Nwora seemed as though he was going to get more opportunity with Wesley Matthews sidelined in health and safety protocols, but he didn’t play until garbage time against Boston.

DeMarcus Cousins (once he returns) and Sandro Mamukelashvili will see extended minutes in Antetokounmpo’s absence, but things will not go well for the Bucks in the paint without their MVP. Their rebounding woes had recovered but now there’s a concern around rebounding and rim protection.

More likely though, the role players who will need to step up most will be Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton. Their shooting will be much needed without Middleton and we’ve seen what Allen can do when given an expanded offensive role. Portis and Connaughton are already playing well above expectations this season, but this will be a whole new test for them.