Bucks News: Critical Milwaukee Wing 'Doubtful' to Finish Celtics Game

He has yet to appear in the second half

Dec 11, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks mascot Bango waves flag with the Milwaukee Bucks logo prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Bucks 3-and-D reserve small forward Taurean Prince, who had been merely questionable to suit up due to a non-COVID-19 illness, did not start for the team in the third quarter of its ongoing nationally broadcast matchup against the Boston Celtics. Reserve swingman Gary Trent Jr. instead drew the start — as returning three-time former All-Star small forward Khris Middleton played off the bench in his first game back this season.

Per Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Bucks have revealed that Prince is now considered doubtful to return to action at all in this matchup. In just 9:10 healthy minutes, the 6-foot-6 swingman scored zero points on 0-of-1 shooting from the field, grabbed two rebounds, dished out one dime and blocked one shot.

On the year, the 30-year-old Baylor product is averaging 9.0 points on .508/.556/.846 shooting splits, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists (against 1.1 turnovers), and 0.9 steals in 28.4 minutes a night.

At the end of the third quarter, Milwaukee holds a precarious 82-78 advantage over the reigning champion Celtics. All-Star Bucks point guard Damian Lillard leads the way for the club, with 26 points, four boards and two dimes. All-NBA Milwaukee power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has 25 points and eight rebounds. That output surprisingly includes some solid midrange jumpers. In just 18 minutes of action, Middleton has eight points, five assists and three rebounds.

Prince was signed to a surprisingly cheap veteran's minimum deal by the Bucks this summer, a year after having served on the 47-35 Los Angeles Lakers on a biannual exception deal. Selected with the No. 12 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Prince has also played for the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Beyond Prince, Milwaukee team general manager Jon Horst appeared to maximize his minimum contract roster additions this summer, also bringing on sharpshooting point-of-attack perimeter defender Delon Wright and former Toronto Raptors shooting guard Trent on the same deals. Neither player has lit the Fiserv Forum on fire to start the year, and Prince has instead been, by the far, the most important addition among this veteran triumvirate. Trent was recently demoted from a starting role to a bench gig, while Wright has played sparingly for head coach Doc Rivers.

Boston, meanwhile, has looked incredibly formidable throughout the year, and looks poised to make yet another deep playoff run this spring.

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