INDIANAPOLIS – The Milwaukee Bucks are set to take on the Indiana Pacers tonight in the second matchup of their five-game road trip. Currently, the Bucks hold an overall record of 11-18, with a challenging 3-10 record away from home. Their last road victory came on November 10 against the Dallas Mavericks, although they did secure a win against the Pacers on November 3 when Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a thrilling game-winning shot just as time expired.
The Pacers are struggling even more, with a 6-23 record, placing them among the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference, just below the Bucks.
In preparation for the game, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo participated in a halfcourt, 3-on-3 workout following the team’s shootaround at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. He trained for approximately 10 to 15 minutes alongside teammates, under the guidance of assistant coaches and the sports performance staff. A highlight from his session was a powerful dunk that energized his teammates watching from the sidelines. Antetokounmpo is working on his defensive rotations and setting screens for his fellow ball handlers as he continues to recover from a right calf strain.
Although Giannis is making strides, he will not be playing tonight. He has been sidelined since December 3 due to a strain in his right calf, and his recovery period has been estimated to last four to six weeks. He did participate in practices leading up to the game, but still, the team has struggled in his absence, managing only two wins in twelve games without him, with their only victories occurring against Golden State and Boston.
In terms of injuries, Taurean Prince is unavailable due to neck surgery, and Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with his calf issue. The Bucks are expected to start Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner.
Fans eager to catch the action can tune in to tonight’s game, which is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT tip-off. It will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, featuring commentary from Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson, and Stephen Watson. The Bucks are currently favored by 1.5 points over the Pacers, with the over/under set at 218.5 points according to BetMGM.
As the team continues to battle through this challenging stretch without their star player, there remains hope that a return to form is on the horizon. With the right adjustments and the energy from their training sessions, the Bucks aim to turn their struggles around as they face the Pacers tonight.