Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: I Don't Think This Bucks Team Is Capable of Winning a Title
Jun 16, 2021
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrives at the NBA Awards on Monday, June 24, 2019, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
One Milwaukee Bucks legend does not think the current iteration of the team can win a championship after Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
"I don't think this year's Bucks team is capable of winning the title," Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said on ESPN's The Jump. "They got to do a better job and play differently and not let KD dominate like that."
It's hard to argue with Abdul-Jabbar's assertion following Brooklyn's 114-108 victory to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
The Bucks had no answers for Kevin Durant, who exploded for 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks while putting his team on his back. Milwaukee blew a commanding 17-point lead and failed to steal one on the road even though Kyrie Irving was sidelined by an ankle injury.
James Harden was also a shell of himself in his first game of the series as he returned from a hamstring injury and shot 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-8 from three-point range. He figures to improve as the series continues.
On the other end, Giannis Antetokounmpo settled for too many ill-advised shots down the stretch, including a fadeaway over Harden that stood out. He also didn't catch a critical pass with his team down two in the final seconds and couldn't counter Durant's excellence.
Abdul-Jabbar knows what it takes to win a championship in Milwaukee considering he helped lead the team to the title during the 1971 playoffs.
The Hall of Famer won his other five championships on the Los Angeles Lakers, but he played for the Bucks from the 1969-70 season through the 1974-75 one and was an All-Star all six years as one of the best players in the league who led the league in scoring twice during that time.
The championship Milwaukee won with Abdul-Jabbar is also the only one in franchise history.
Giannis: Kevin Durant 'the Best Player in the World Right Now' After Nets Beat Bucks
Jun 16, 2021
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, left, clenches his fist next to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the waning seconds of the Nets' 114-108 victory in Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo heaped praise on Kevin Durant after KD and the Brooklyn Nets came from behind to beat the Bucks in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Tuesday.
According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Giannis said of Durant: "He's the best player in the world right now."
With Kyrie Irving out injured and James Harden playing at well below 100 percent, Durant took over the game Tuesday, posting a triple-double with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocks in a 114-108 win that gave Brooklyn a 3-2 series lead.
The Nets trailed by 16 at halftime, but KD took over and willed Brooklyn to victory despite the team being shorthanded.
It marked a massive and much-needed rebound for Durant, who shot under 40 percent in each of the previous two games—both wins for the Bucks. On Tuesday, Durant shot 69.6 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from deep and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line.
While Irving did not play in Game 5 because of an ankle injury, Durant did get a somewhat unexpected reinforcement in Harden, who had been out since suffering a hamstring injury early in Game 1 of the series.
Harden went from "out" to "doubtful" to "questionable" over the course of the day and went on to play a remarkable 46 minutes. However, he clearly wasn't himself, as he went just 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-8 from long range, finishing with just five points, eight assists and six rebounds.
With Harden playing nowhere near his usual MVP-caliber level, it was up to Durant to put the team on his shoulders.
Giannis, the 2019 and 2020 MVP, had a great game in his own right, finishing with a team-high 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds and four assists.
After the game, he was asked about guarding KD in a do-or-die game, to which he told reporters, "I want to take on the challenge."
Durant vs. Giannis was a much-talked-about matchup entering the series.
Durant, the 2014 MVP, is a two-time Finals MVP from his time with the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, Giannis has yet to push his team past the Eastern Conference Finals, and losing to the Nets in the second round would represent another failure on his playoff resume.
After watching Durant light his team up in Game 5, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer may have no choice but to put Giannis on KD in Thursday's Game 6 and hope he can carry the team both offensively and defensively.
Giannis: Kevin Durant 'Best Player in the World,' Want to Guard Nets Star in Game 6
Jun 16, 2021
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, left, clenches his fist next to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the waning seconds of the Nets' 114-108 victory in Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Kevin Durant is an absolute marvel and was essentially unstoppable as he posted a triple-double of 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists while leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Tuesday's Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. That said, it was hard to ignore one thing.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team this season, wasn't guarding him as he put up those numbers.
That may change in Thursday's Game 6.
"He's the best player in the world right now," Antetokounmpo told reporters when talking about Durant. He also said, "I want to take on the challenge," when discussing the possibility of guarding the Nets star in the next contest.
That Antetokounmpo wasn't guarding Durant down the stretch of Tuesday's game was just one of the list of issues for the Bucks as they blew a 17-point lead.
They never ran consistent double teams Durant's way as he continued to torch their defense with an array of midrange jumpers, threes and drives to the basket. They also didn't help much off James Harden, who was a shell of himself on his way to three points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field in his return from a hamstring injury.
Offensively, Antetokounmpo settled far too often, including when he shot a fadeaway instead of attacking Harden when he had the injured star on the block in the fourth quarter.
Antetokounmpo also missed multiple free throws down the stretch and couldn't catch a pass from Khris Middleton in the final seconds while trailing by two.
Perhaps switching the four-time All-Defensive selection onto Durant will help change the momentum in this series because it is firmly on Brooklyn's side. Antetokounmpo can at least bother Durant's pull-up jumpers with his length and figures to be athletic and long enough to stay in front of him on plenty of drives.
If it doesn't work, the Bucks will be left thinking about what could have been from Tuesday's game.
Rather than holding onto the lead and putting a Nets squad that is dealing with multiple high-profile injuries on the brink of elimination, the Bucks gave an all-time great player nothing but confidence and are now staring at the end of their season as they return home for Game 6.
Kevin Durant Triple-Doubles as Nets Win Game 5 vs. Giannis, Bucks in Harden's Return
Jun 16, 2021
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) defends during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Not even the absence of Kyrie Irving could stop the Brooklyn Nets from winning at home in their second-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brooklyn overcame a 17-point deficit and seized a 3-2 lead with a 114-108 victory in Tuesday's pivotal Game 5 at Barclays Center. Kevin Durant was brilliant and led the way for the Nets, who are one win away from their first trip to the conference finals since the 2002-03 season.
Solid showings from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday weren't enough for the Bucks, who now must win two in a row to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in three years.
The Nets may have the most talent in the entire league on paper, but Irving, James Harden and Durant played just eight games together during the regular season. It's been more of the same in the playoffs with Harden (hamstring) missing the first four against the Bucks and Irving (ankle) sitting out Tuesday's contest.
Still, the return of Harden figured to be a significant boost and meant Durant wouldn't have to shoulder as much of the offensive responsibility as the only one of the three stars on the floor.
Instead, things were disjointed from the start. Brooklyn managed a measly 15 points in the first quarter as Harden failed to find his shot and turned it over multiple times. He also settled for outside looks and wasn't in attack mode, which indicated he wasn't feeling 100 percent.
Turns out, Durant did need to be the brightest star even with Harden on the floor.
He did a little bit of everything to keep the Nets within striking distance during their abysmal first half by aggressively seeking out his shot, battling for boards and impressing on the defensive end. Jeff Green and Blake Griffin also provided critical secondary scoring as the home team came charging back in the third quarter to put itself in position to win.
Durant fully shifted into takeover mode from there and gave his side the lead with an array of pullups and threes. He was also a willing facilitator and the best rebounder on the floor as he put the game squarely on his back while playing every minute in an incredible performance.
It was fitting, then, that the future Hall of Famer drilled a ridiculous off-balance three to push the lead to four in the last minute and then helped ice the win on the line. It was a legendary playoff performance and one that will not soon be forgotten if the Nets do win the championship.
Giannis, Bucks Collapse Down the Stretch
This series looked hopeless for the Bucks when they lost by 39 points in Game 2 to fall down 2-0 even though Harden had yet to play.
Rather than fold against a team loaded with starpower, Milwaukee grinded out a defensive slugfest in Game 3 and maintained momentum in Game 4 on both ends of the floor. It was more of the same out of the gates Tuesday as the defense held Harden scoreless in the first half and swarmed to shooters on the perimeter.
Antetokounmpo was also ruthlessly efficient while driving the lane and even hit a three-pointer, while Middleton and Holiday each connected on multiple threes. Throw in Pat Connaughton providing a spark off the bench, and the visitors were up by 16 at the half and seemingly in control.
Although Harden wasn't himself and Irving was sidelined, it was just a matter of time before Brooklyn went on a run even, though Milwaukee delayed it with Brook Lopez hitting three-pointers, Middleton attacking and Holiday facilitating.
Even with that run, the Bucks had the chance to respond and put the Nets on the brink of elimination as they entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead. It was also a golden opportunity to make a statement as a title contender and move past some of the criticism they received for an ugly second-round loss to the Miami Heat last season.
The collapse was all the more painful for the Bucks with that as the backdrop.
The fourth quarter was a rotating door of mistakes, as the defense had no answer for Durant and Antetokounmpo forced the issue with an ill-advised pullup three and fadeaway over an injured Harden. He also couldn't handle a pass around the rim down two in the final seconds and missed multiple free throws in the last two minutes before fouling out.
What's Next?
The series returns to Milwaukee for Game 6 Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
NBA Rumors: Mike D'Antoni, Rick Carlisle Interested in Bucks If Budenholzer Is Fired
Jun 14, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 05: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in Game One of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 05, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Mike Budenholzer is on thin ice in Milwaukee, with Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reporting "there continues to be an expectation among league sources" that the third-year Bucks coach will be out if the team doesn't make it to the NBA Finals.
But if Budenholzer is on the move, the Bucks shouldn't have trouble filling the role.
Per Fischer, Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D'Antoni and Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle would be interested in the potential opening in Milwaukee.
The Bucks are tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference Semifinal with the Nets, with Game 5 set for Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
D'Antoni, who was at the helm of the Houston Rockets from 2016-20, is "motivated" to return to a head coaching role for the upcoming season, according to Fischer. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Thursday that D'Antoni 'has serious interest" in the head coaching vacancy in Portland, which mutually parted ways with Terry Stotts on June 4.
The 70-year-old is 672-527 through 16 seasons as a head coach, with experience in Denver, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles (Lakers). The West Virginia native, who also spent one season as the associate head coach in Philadelphia, is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year.
Carlisle's Mavericks haven't won a playoff series since 2010-11, when they won the NBA Finals in Carlisle's third year at the helm in Dallas. But team governor Mark Cuban said he was sticking with the 61-year-old even after their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games.
Mark Cuban tells ESPN that he will not consider a coaching change. "Let me tell you how I look at coaching. You don't make a change to make a change. Unless you have someone that you know is much, much, much better, the grass is rarely greener on the other side." https://t.co/Rmr1411xBl
However, it appears job security isn't limiting Carlisle's desire to possibly move on. He is 555-478 through 13 seasons with Dallas.
Even with a pair of viable external candidates, current Bucks assistants Darvin Ham and Charles Lee are "expected to garner strong consideration" for any opening. Both assistants have also been contacted about the opening with the Boston Celtics, according to Fischer.
Bucks' Fiserv Forum Evacuated After Game 4 vs. Nets After False Fire Alarm
Jun 13, 2021
FILE - In this July 29, 2020 file photo, The Fiserv Forum is seen in Milwaukee. Election officials said Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, that they scrapped their plans to use the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers' stadiums as early voting sites in the presidential battleground state of Wisconsin. Milwaukee's election commission had planned to use Fiserv Forum and Miller Park between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1 as sites where people could have voted early in-person or returned absentee ballots they received by mail. The commission developed the plan in an effort to provide safe voting sites during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Morry Gash File)
The Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets didn't have much time to digest their Game 4 showdown inside Fiserv Forum.
Malika Andrews of ESPN noted the building was evacuated shortly after Nets head coach Steve Nash spoke to reporters following the Bucks' 107-96 victory. After the players and staff were allowed back into the building, the Bucks confirmed the alarm was triggered by a mechanical issue and that there was no fire:
On the court, Milwaukee evened the series at two games apiece as the pattern of the home team winning every game continued.
Both teams will be back at Fiserv Forum for Game 6 on Thursday regardless of what happens in Tuesday's Game 5 in Brooklyn. The Bucks have all the momentum at this point following their second straight win thanks in large part to the overall play of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time MVP finished Sunday's game with 34 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Khris Middleton (19 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks) and Jrue Holiday (14 points, nine assists and three rebounds) provided critical secondary contributions.
The biggest storyline, though, was the status of Kyrie Irving.
Irving limped off the court with an ankle injury in the second quarter and didn't return. Nash told reporters X-rays were negative, but the guard will still undergo further testing and treatment.
Brooklyn has already been without James Harden throughout this series because of a hamstring injury. If he and Irving remain out in what has turned into a best-of-three battle, the Nets' championship hopes will be in jeopardy.
Giannis Drops 34 as Bucks Even Series with Nets; Kyrie Irving Leaves with Injury
Jun 13, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets takes a three point shot over P.J. Tucker #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference second round playoff series at the Fiserv Forum on June 10, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks continued to hold serve on their home court against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, notching a 107-96 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to even the series at 2-2.
The win helped the Bucks avoid the brink of elimination as the series shifts back to Brooklyn for Game 5. Only 13 teams have ever come back to win a series after going down 3-1. However, the Denver Nuggets did it twice last year, becoming the first team ever to win back-to-back series after falling to 3-1. Milwaukee won't have to try to add itself to that list with a solid Game 4 performance.
Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo totaled 53 points, while Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving combined for 39.
James Harden missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury after playing just the opening minutes of Game 1. Irving exited early in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return to the floor.
Antetokounmpo noticeably tried to expand his skill set in Game 3, launching eight attempts from behind the arc—his most in any game this postseason. It was a good idea, in theory, with Brooklyn keying in on him in the paint, but that hardly matched the reality.
The two-time MVP sank just one attempt from behind the arc, shooting 14-of-31 overall, and the Bucks escaped with an 86-83 win. On Sunday, with a chance to even the series, the Greek Freak got back to what he does best: dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.
Antetokounmpo was as unstoppable around the rim as he's been at any point this season. Despite continually taking off-balance shots and playing through foul trouble, there was little stopping the 26-year-old from picking apart the Nets defense in the paint.
Antetokounmpo missed just one look inside the restricted area with a finger-roll attempt falling short. Everything else was put through the hoop with the signature authority Antetokounmpo is known for.
But just as important as Antetokounmpo's commitment to getting in the lane was his recognition that the Nets were giving him open looks from deep for a reason. Antetokounmpo took just five three-point attempts Sunday, knocking down one.
It was the right adjustment as Milwaukee outscored the Nets 38-36 in the paint. It also helped create more space for some of the Bucks' more reliable three-point shooters to find their spots as Antetokounmpo continued to draw the defense toward him anytime he drove.
The Bucks may have shot 16-of-47 from behind the arc for the game, but those looks were created in the exact manner Milwaukee needed to in order to compete with the Nets.
All of that starts with Antetokounmpo's ability to create any look for himself in tight thanks to otherworldly length and athleticism.
After getting routed in Games 1 and 2 on the road, the Bucks finally simplified their offense at home and forced Brooklyn to adjust as the series heads back to New York.
Brooklyn's Vanishing Big 3
Game 4 started out with Brooklyn welcoming Jeff Green back to the floor for the first time in six games. Those good vibes were gone midway through the second quarter as Irving limped back to the Nets' locker room with an ankle sprain.
It might not have been the absolute worst-case scenario for head coach Steve Nash, but it was pretty close to it.
Not only did the loss of Irving completely stall out Brooklyn's offense, but what looked like a healthy and deep Nets bench heading into the postseason has found itself nearly depleted in both categories after just nine games.
After deciding earlier in the season it would be best for the team if Harden handled point guard duties, a hamstring injury in Game 1 against Milwaukee forced Irving back to the 1-spot as he and Durant attempted to steady the rotation.
While it's unclear how long Irving may be out going forward, what's obvious is the strain it puts on a backcourt already missing Harden and Spencer Dinwiddie. Mike James, Chris Chiozza and Landry Shamet will have to pick up the slack as the remaining healthy bodies available to Nash.
It won't be an easy task.
From the time Irving exited midway through the second quarter to just under 10 minutes left in regulation, the Nets offense went 12-of-32 from the field, 0-of-10 from behind the arc and committed eight turnovers.
That put Nash in the unenviable position of having to pull his starters early in the fourth quarter and essentially begin regrouping for Game 5.
Just how many players the Nets will have available by their next tipoff remains to be seen. They certainly didn't have enough to contend with Milwaukee by the end of Sunday's matchup. If Harden and Irving can't return soon, the Nets may find themselves trailing in the series after taking a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven.
What's Next?
Game 5 returns to Barclays Center on Tuesday at TNT. No tipoff time has been announced as of Sunday afternoon.
Woj: Mike Budenholzer's Job 'Rides on How the Bucks Respond' to 2-0 Deficit vs. Nets
Jun 11, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks instructs his team against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 07, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
As the Milwaukee Bucks look to get back on track in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Brooklyn Nets, head coach Mike Budenholzer's job could be on the line in this series.
Appearing on SportsCenter prior to the Game 3 tipoff, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Budenholzer's future "rides on how the Bucks respond" after dropping the first two games (starts at 1:15 mark):
After a competitive 115-107 loss in Game 1 against the Nets, Milwaukee got run out of the Barclays Center on Monday in a 39-point defeat.
There has been speculation about Budenholzer's outlook with the Bucks if they fail to have a deep postseason run this year.
One NBA scout told Josh Robbins and Sam Amick of The Athletic last month that he would expect Budenholzer to be fired if the Bucks had lost to the Miami Heat in the first round.
Milwaukee did make quick work of the Heat, sweeping that series. But things haven't gone well through two games against Brooklyn.
Budenholzer has one year remaining on the four-year contract he originally signed with the Bucks in May 2018. He's been fantastic during the regular season, leading the franchise to a 162-65 record.
Since taking a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks have lost 11 of their last 20 playoff games.
Report: NBA Orders Nets to Remove Timer from Scoreboard for Giannis' Free Throws
Jun 9, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a free throw against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 07, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
The NBA instructed the Brooklyn Nets to refrain from showing a timer on the Barclays Center video boards while Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the free-throw line, according to the New York Post's Peter Botte.
When the two-time MVP was at the charity stripe in Game 1 of Milwaukee's second-round series against Brooklyn, arena officials made note of whether he had released the ball within the 10 seconds allowed by the league.
Here’s a look at the Barclays Center Jumbotron timer while Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the foul line. pic.twitter.com/NGwznPQeaU
Botte reported the NBA "doesn’t advocate teams inciting the taunting of other players."
The step taken by the NBA makes sense because it can be a slippery slope in terms of arena officials directly targeting another player—no matter how benignly—to draw a reaction from home fans.
The practical impact of putting a timer on display while Antetokounmpo prepared to shoot was probably minimal, though.
His focus would have been directed toward the basket at the time, so he wouldn't have seen what was happening on the video screens.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer was unaware the tactic was unfolding too, as he watched the action from the bench.
"There was one time where I felt like people were looking at the Jumbotron, but I didn’t really know why," he said. "You never know what’s going on up there, and it’s rare that I even can pick up the hint of something."
Arguing the 10-second timer affected Giannis' shooting would be an exercise in confirmation bias.
Antetokounmpo was 2-of-5 on free throws as Milwaukee lost 115-107 in Game 1. He shot 68.5 percent from the line in the regular season and has a 71.7 clip for his career, so free-throw shooting has long been one of his Achilles' heels.
If the Nets eventually dump the Bucks out in the Eastern Conference semifinals, this story will be well down the list of reasons Milwaukee fell short of its goal of reaching the NBA Finals.
Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo Undergoes Successful Surgery on Ankle Injury
Jun 8, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo runs during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Milwaukee Bucks announced on Tuesday that guard Donte DiVincenzo had successful surgery for the torn ligament in his left ankle.
DiVincenzo suffered the injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the playoffs during his team's first-round victory over the Miami Heat. Milwaukee has missed him through the first two games of its second-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, which were both losses.
The Villanova product had a career season in 2020-21 as he permanently shifted to the starting lineup and averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals a night. He also shot a career-best 37.9 percent from three-point range, which was important given the amount of defensive attention Giannis Antetokounmpo draws on a nightly basis.
Milwaukee shot 6-of-30 (20 percent) from deep in its Game 1 loss to the Nets, and 8-of-27 (29.6 percent) from deep in its Game 2 loss, which came by 39 points.
Brooklyn has collapsed the lane against Antetokounmpo and forced the Bucks into outside shots, which has underscored the importance of DiVincenzo's absence. While Milwaukee was facing an uphill battle against the star-studded Nets regardless, having him out there could make a difference from beyond the arc.
That it was a successful surgery is welcome news for the Bucks, seeing how DiVincenzo is just 24 years old and figures to be an important part of the core around Antetokounmpo for seasons to come.
Look for the team to continue relying on Bryn Forbes and Pat Connaughton on the wing for the remainder of the playoffs with DiVincenzo sidelined.
