Panic? Patience? What is going on with the Milwaukee Bucks right now?
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks have scarcely been at full strength this season
The Bucks have played zero games this season with their roster at full strength, which can mainly be attributed to Brook Lopez’s absence. After playing in Milwaukee’s season opener – one of their commanding wins over Brooklyn – Lopez has been sidelined with back issues, which he opted to have surgery on in early December. His absence has hurt the Bucks tremendously this season, as they have missed their starting center on both ends of the floor. There is rumored optimism that the big man could potentially return this season, and that would be a significant boost.
Aside from Lopez, the time missed between Milwaukee’s Big 3 has also taken a toll on the Bucks this season. The trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday has appeared in just 24 of Milwaukee’s 52 games this season, which is obviously not ideal. However, when they do all share the floor, the Bucks have been fantastic as they are 19-5 in those games. Obviously, the Bucks will be better when their top players are all out on the floor, but they just have not managed to consistently be out there together.
A pair of pivotal second unit contributors in Donte DiVincenzo and George Hill have also both spent considerable time injured this season. Coming off ankle surgery, which he recently reinjured during pregame warmups, and time in the health and safety protocols, DiVincenzo has missed 39 games for the Bucks this season. Hill has missed 11 games, and when he is not out there to orchestrate the second unit, the bench, who has not been particularly when even when he is there, has looked abysmal.
Health has a case to be the most significant reason for Milwaukee’s struggles this season. Per Spotrac, the Bucks have had the fourth-most combined games missed from players on their roster this season with 195. If they can get healthier as the season goes on by keeping the Big 3 intact and possibly getting Lopez in the lineup for the postseason, these concerns would certainly fade. However, right now, all fans can do is keep their fingers crossed.