Giannis doubtful, Trae Young questionable for Eastern Conference finals Game 5 - The Athletic

Giannis' injury outlook

Virginia Zakas, Inside Injuries: Giannis suffered a severe hyperextension as the defender made contact with his lower leg when his foot was firmly planted.

Hyperextension is really a mechanism of injury, not a diagnosis, and there is a wide range of possible outcomes. An MRI showed that all ligaments are intact. This is a best-case scenario, but it doesn’t mean that he will be ready to play anytime soon.

With this type of injury, there is likely a bone bruise along with a mild to moderate ligament sprain. Given how deep we are in the playoffs, I’m sure Antetokounmpo will want to try to play, but he is more than likely going to miss the rest of this series.

If the Bucks do advance, it will be difficult for him to return in the finals. His risk of re-injury will also be very high. He is going to be dealing with a lot of inflammation, pain and tightness in that knee.

Which player is the Bucks' X-factor without Giannis?

Eric Nehm, Bucks beat writer: If Antetokounmpo cannot play, the Bucks' hopes of stealing the series will rest at the feet of Khris Middleton. He has been with Antetokounmpo for eight seasons and is the Bucks' second-leading scorer behind Antetokounmpo for the last four seasons. He has been named an All-Star twice in the last three seasons.

Middleton is the one that has to step up and take control in this moment and lead the Bucks. If he can do it, it will be one of his greatest accomplishments as a Buck.

Which team is better equipped to play without their star?

Seth Partnow, NBA league analyst: Offensively, the adjustment should be much easier for the Bucks. Not only do they have Middleton ready to take on a larger load, but Middleton has frequently been Milwaukee's closer even when Antetokounmpo is available.

They might even be able to replicate some of the inside-out style Antetokounmpo drives by utilizing Brook Lopez more on the block while allowing Bobby Portis to take Lopez's spot spacing the floor.

The Hawks' offense is perhaps the most heliocentric in the league, give or take Dallas. Young finished second in possession time, ninth in scoring usage and third in both playmaking and total usage on the season. Atlanta's offense has only become more reliant on him during the postseason.

In contrast, the Hawks are likely better equipped to play defensively without Young than the Bucks are without Antetokounmpo. Young annually grades out as one of the bigger defensive liabilities in the league. We saw in Game 4 how a bigger lineup with Kevin Huerter or Bogdan Bogdanovic handling the ball and Cam Reddish inserted into the lineup could be more effective.

Meanwhile going from Antetokounmpo to Portis is an enormous defensive downgrade, exacerbated by the degree to which Milwaukee's scheme requires Antetokounmpo's ability to rotate to fill gaps all over the floor.

(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

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2021-06-30 22:33:58Z
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