
The Milwaukee Bucks and their fans have championship aspirations after the team posted the best record in the NBA during the regular season.
Yet, Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat was a shock to the system, as they lost 130-117 to a team that is clearly inferior in talent.
To make matters worse, Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury early in the contest and didn’t return, which undoubtedly contributed to the loss.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, he is listed as doubtful for Game 2, which will take place on Wednesday.
The Bucks have submitted their first injury report for tomorrow's Game 2 against the Heat.
Doubtful:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion)OUT:
Wesley Matthews (right calf strain)— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 18, 2023
The team said that X-rays done on him were clean, but without him, they may be in great danger of dropping the first two games of the series at home.
Doing so would be a very discordant way for the Bucks to begin the playoffs, especially against a Heat team that has produced some big playoff upsets in recent years.
Miami, most notably, knocked off Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in 2020 in the Eastern Conference semifinals by taking the first two contests of that series.
Then, as now, the Bucks had the best record in the league and were strong favorites in the series.
The Heat then went on the defeat the Boston Celtics in the next round before falling in the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, they’re also dealing with a major injury of their own, as guard Tyler Herro broke his hand and will likely be out for the rest of the playoffs as a result.
NEXT: Shannon Sharpe Explains Why The Bucks May Get Upset