Is Damian Lillard playing today? Bucks update for clash with Lakers
By Dalton Sell
From the moment it was announced that the Milwaukee Bucks had acquired Damain Lillard in a blockbuster trade, fans were itching to see him take the floor for the first time.
Throughout the team’s first two preseason games, they have not yet gotten to see that, as Lillard has sat out. Well, that’s about to change. Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today earlier this week, Head Coach Adrian Griffin said that both Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has also sat out these first two preseason games, will play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
What to expect from Lillard and Antetokounmpo as Bucks take on Lakers
Although they will suit up, it would be surprising to see Lillard and Antetokounmpo play significant minutes in this contest. As the duo tries to get their feet wet in the first preseason action this year, somewhere around 15-20 minutes seems reasonable for both players. Coach Griffin won’t push it, especially if the two plan to play in any of the team’s other remaining preseason outings.
This will be the first taste of what could very well be the most lethal duo in the entire association, and it will be interesting to see how they look during their first game action. Given that it’s the first game for the pair, it wouldn’t be surprising if there was some rust, but the preseason is the perfect time to shake that off.
The jury is still out on Khris Middleton’s status, as he has also not suited up in a preseason game as he recovers from an off-season knee procedure. Also on NBA Today, Griffin stated that he is expecting Middleton to play in a preseason game but was not sure which one. There are two left following the matchup with the Lakers – one against the Thunder and one against the Grizzlies.
On the other side of things, it’s unclear who will be playing for former Bucks assistant and current Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the two prominent names to keep an eye on in that regard. It would certainly be something to see the first game of the Lillard and Antetokounmpo era be against James and Davis, even if it is the preseason.
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Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis from this clash with the Los Angeles Lakers.