Milwaukee Bucks Take a Commanding 3-2 Lead Despite Antetokounmpo’s Absence

Even with the absence of their unquestioned best player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks were able to roll to a comfortable 123-112 win in their home stadium. It was a night in which the Bucks’ complementary players all stepped the required amount to get the win, as their starters scored 111 of their 123 points.

In particular, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, two players who have been shuffled in-and-out of various lineups during the series due to matchup concerns, stepped up and delivered the biggest games of not only their seasons but perhaps their careers as well. Lopez was a revelation on offense with his efficiency, scoring 33 points on 14-18 shooting from the field and added seven rebounds. Portis stepped into the starting lineup in Antetokounmpo’s place and tallied 22 points and eight rebounds on 9-20 shooting from the field.

While unlikely heroes stepping up was a huge reason for the win for Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo’s complementary stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton deserve credit for holding down the ship and handling the ball for long stretches of this game. It has been rare for both of these guys to have good games on the same night this postseason, but they turned in an incredible performance as a backcourt to bring home the dub. Jrue Holiday posted a double-double of 25 points and 13 assists, and did so on solid efficiency; he went 9-20 from the field, 3-8 on 3-pointers, and 4-5 from the charity stripe. Middleton nearly had a triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists on 10-20 shooting. His shot creation ability was on full display as he got to his spots and knocked down countless tough looks. 

Lopez and Holiday were a deadly pairing in the pick and roll all night, with Lopez seemingly always in the right place at the right time for Holiday to dump the ball off under the basket to Lopez for easy buckets.

The Atlanta Hawks, of course, were also without their best player in point guard Trae Young, who has missed the past two games due to a bone bruise in his foot. Lou Williams stepped into the starting lineup in his absence and had a terrific game four to tie the series, scoring 21 points on an uber-efficient 7-9 shooting along with 8 assists. He was not able to be the same catalyst in game five, however, as he scored 17 points on 15 shots and was minus 15 for the game. John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic both had solid games and scored a combined 47 points, but Atlanta just did not get quite enough production from the rest of their roster to make this a closer game. Kevin Huerter in particular did not play well; he scored just eight points on 3-12 shooting despite playing 38 minutes. 

This was obviously a huge win for the Bucks in less-than-ideal circumstances and puts them just one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1974. The potential of an Antetokounmpo return is not out of the question either, as an MRI revealed no structural damage in his knee and he was listed as doubtful going into the game. He would likely have to deal with pain and swelling if he were to play. Trae Young could also make a return in game six as well, as he was a game-time decision in game five. His return would almost certainly provide the Hawks’ offense with a much-needed jolt.

This year’s NBA playoffs have been riddled with injuries, so seeing those two return would be huge for the league as well as the competitiveness of the series. Here’s to hoping they can get healthy, and that this series continues to entertain.

All stats courtesy of Pro Basketball-Reference and ESPN

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