Bucks officially out
The Milwaukee Bucks were officially eliminated from playoff contention, with Coach Doc Rivers pointing to injuries as the decisive factor in the team's early exit. (usatoday.com)
San Antonio routed Milwaukee 127-95 at Fiserv Forum on March 28, with Stephon Castle posting a 22-point triple-double and Victor Wembanyama finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. (espn.com) The defeat left the Bucks at 29-44 on the season and positioned them 11th in the Eastern Conference standings as of March 28. (espn.com) Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined after being diagnosed with a left-knee hyperextension and bone bruise and was ruled out for at least one week after tests, a stretch that represented the most games he’s missed in a single season of his career. (nba.com) Milwaukee’s injury report for the Spurs game also listed Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee; Rivers said he’d “be surprised” if Porter plays again this season), Bobby Portis (left wrist sprain), Kyle Kuzma (Achilles tendinopathy), Gary Harris (personal reasons) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (left calf). (wiscosportszone.com) The result snapped a nine-season run of postseason appearances that began after the 2015-16 campaign, the franchise’s first absence from the playoffs in a decade. (usatoday.com) Milwaukee had lost nine of its previous 11 games entering the Spurs matchup and had frequently rotated lineups as the coaching staff tried to manage recurring absences and short-term injuries. (wiscosportszone.com)
