Fresh off a win over the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks are still in the state of California for a meeting with the Sacramento Kings.
Lately, health has been a prominent question mark for the Bucks on a game-by-game basis, and their latest injury report indicates that will carry over into this game. Let's break down the injury reports for both sides heading into this one.
Bucks' injury report against Kings
Out: Jamaree Bouyea (G-League), Damian Lillard (Right Calf Soreness), Bobby Portis Jr. (Suspension), Jericho Sims (Right Thumb UCL Sprain), Stanley Umude (G-League)
Probable: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Right Patella Tendinopathy), Gary Trent Jr. (Left Patella Tendinopathy)
Damian Lillard will officially miss his second consecutive matchup with this lingering calf soreness. The guard has dealt with calf issues before during his short time with the Milwaukee Bucks, and it's not something you want to mess with. If the calf is bugging him, sit him down. The Bucks will miss him, but they need him healthy down the stretch above all else.
With Lillard out, the Milwaukee Bucks will have to rely more on Gary Trent Jr. The guard, who has also been banged up as of late, appears ready to go, given his probable designation. Trent has been on a tear as of late, and the Bucks need him to help fill the scoring void left in Lillard's absence. The same goes for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will likely be available.
Other than that, there aren't too many surprises, as Jericho Sims will be out for a few more weeks, and Bobby Portis Jr. remains suspended for over a handful of games yet.
Kings' injury report against Bucks
Out: Isaac Jones (G-League), Domantas Sabonis (Right Ankle Sprain)
While the Kings will be without one of their top players, they will still have plenty of firepower heading into this game. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk all pack a punch offensively, so this will not be a layup game for the Milwaukee Bucks. Hopefully they learned their lesson about taking teams lightly when they are without their star in their recent ugly loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Without Lillard, it won't be easy, but the Milwaukee Bucks must build off the momentum from their last game and win another one. The regular season is winding down, and every win or loss counts toward the ever-tight Eastern Conference standings.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.