3 gifts that should be on the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 Christmas wish list
By Dalton Sell
Good health should be on the Milwaukee Bucks’ Christmas wish list
You cannot exactly wrap good health up and put it under the tree, but the Bucks certainly wish they could at this point. The defending champs have been banged up this season with injuries, illnesses, and countless absences due to the league’s health and safety protocols. In fact, at the time of this writing, the Bucks have yet to play a game this season with their roster fully intact.
Brook Lopez and Donte DiVincenzo, two-full time starters for Milwaukee last year, have combined to play just one game this season. That one matchup was the season-opener against the Brooklyn Nets, where Lopez played 28 minutes in a big win. However, he has been out of the lineup since as he recently underwent a back procedure after nagging soreness prevailed. As for DiVincenzo, he is yet to play this season after spending the first quarter rehabbing from a season-ending surgery he underwent in June. The guard was recently cleared to return but was immediately placed into the protocols, which was incredibly unfortunate. While DiVincenzo will be returning to the lineup soon, there is no timetable for Lopez, which puts a massive question mark over the Bucks. However, the news within the organization is that there is reportedly optimism he could return this season. Both of these players are crucial for Milwaukee, and getting them healthy would be a huge boost.
Joining DiVincenzo in the health and safety protocols over these past few games are two other key Bucks in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Obviously, the Bucks have had a difficult time replacing the contributions from the reigning NBA Finals MVP, who was having another outright dominant season before abruptly entering the protocols. Once they get him back, whenever that might be, they will clearly be more formidable. The same goes for Portis, who was putting up the best numbers of his career before entering protocols. Due to the Lopez injury, the heart and soul of Milwaukee’s bench has filled in as a starter this season, playing sensational basketball night in and night out. Getting him back into the lineup will give the team another big body, which they are very short on right now, that can score, rebound, and bring unmatched intensity.
Other issues include a non-COVID-related illness for rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili, who has been sidelined for the past two games because of it. Grayson Allen returned to the lineup in the Bucks’ win on Thursday after missing the previous two with the same thing, but it was clear that he still might be a tad under the weather.
The good news is that the Bucks released their latest injury report yesterday and it was as clean as it has looked all year. Lopez is the only Buck who remains out for today’s game against Boston, with DiVincenzo listed as questionable due to the protocol clearing. That means Antetokounmpo and Portis have both been cleared from the protocols and will likely play today. Health might be the biggest obstacle standing in the way of Milwaukee’s hopes of repeating this season, so getting their players back would be a massive lift. Get well soon, Bucks.