Bucks News: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Multiple Wings Land on Injury Report vs Hornets

Milwaukee could be severely shorthanded against Charlotte on Saturday.

Nov 16, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) blocks a shot by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

On Saturday night, the Milwaukee Bucks will get a chance to avenge their 115-114 last-second defeat to the Charlotte Hornets the other week. Milwaukee is in the midst of a red-hot 5-1 run, after first stumbling out of the gate with an ugly 2-8 season start. At 7-9, the team currently occupies the No. 6 overall seed in the talent-challenged Eastern Conference. The 6-9 Hornets will hardly be a pushover. Charlotte is younger and more athletic, with a bit of a talent edge on the perimeter.

The Bucks may be looking to inch ever closer to a .500 record without their best player.

According to Milwaukee's official X account, rising shooting guard AJ Johnson will miss his second game in as many days with left Achilles tendinitis, former three-time All-Star small forward Khris Middleton will continue to delay his 2024-25 regular season debut while recovering from bilateral ankle surgery (although, in a twist, it turns out he's been cleared to play for a month), while rookie power forward Tyler Smith will be on assignment to Milwaukee's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

More critically for the Bucks' chances, the NBA's leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo has been downgraded to probable, as he continues to strive to play through a lingering right patella tendinopathy. Two-way center Liam Robbins and two-way point guard Ryan Rollins are both also probable to be made available, while dealing with a left heel contusino and left shoulder dislocation, respectively.

Per the league's most recent injury report, small forward MarJon Beauchamp is also on the shelf, with a left hamstring injury.

Both of the Hornets' starting centers, Mark Williams (who's been dealing with a left foot tendon strain for 11 months) and his reserve Nick Richards (right first rib fracture) are both out. Their backup, 39-year-old veteran Taj Gibson, will start in their stead. Starting small forward Miles Bridges is shelved with a right knee bone bruise. Shooting guard DaQuan Jeffries (right hand fracture) and point guard Tre Mann (low back soreness) are both unavailable on Saturday, too. Two-way player Jared Rhoden is out. Shooting guard Nick Smith Jr. is on assignment with Charlotte's G League squad, the Greensboro Swarm, as well.

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