Milwaukee guard Ryan Rollins has referred to as for the Bucks to undertake a “next-man-up mentality” as they put together for an prolonged spell with out star ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo, beginning with Sunday towards the visiting Dallas Mavericks.
Antetokounmpo expects to overlook 4 to 6 weeks after injuring his proper calf in Milwaukee’s 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
The long-term absence of Antetokounmpo — the Bucks’ nine-time All-Star, two-time NBA MVP and 2021 champion — is a troublesome capsule to swallow, notably given the actual fact Milwaukee has misplaced its previous two video games and 6 of its previous eight.
However Rollins, who scored 21 factors towards Denver, is hoping this adversity will carry out a carry in Antetokounmpo’s common supporting solid.
“It is robust,” Rollins mentioned. “Particularly (with) us within the place we’re in proper now, for positive, shedding our greatest participant. It is simply (a) next-man-up mentality. We have to come back on the market, compete each evening and play the proper means. If we are able to do this, I believe now we have a very good likelihood of successful nonetheless, for positive.”
Antetokounmpo sustained the harm within the first quarter towards the Nuggets, earlier than exiting the sport, then briefly returning and enjoying a complete of 32 minutes, ending with 22 factors, 13 rebounds and 7 assists — game-high totals in every class.
Regardless of enjoying many of the match, Antetokounmpo was not optimistic about his prospects when interviewed afterward.
“After the MRI, they inform me, most likely, I popped one thing in my calf on my soleus or one thing,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “… That is from my expertise being across the NBA.
“After that, I’ll work my butt off to come back again. That may most likely be the top of February, starting of March. Hopefully, the staff performs (properly sufficient) that we are able to a minimum of make the play-in or the playoffs. Simply take it day-to-day, get higher.”
AJ Inexperienced (sickness) is listed as questionable to face Dallas, whereas fellow guard Gary Trent Jr. (sickness) is possible.
Mavericks guard Max Christie seems to have shrugged off a scare of his personal after rolling an ankle in his staff’s 116-110 residence loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, ending Dallas’ season-best four-game win streak.
After main the Lakers 87-79 after three quarters, the Mavs had been swamped 37-23 within the fourth.
“I simply rolled my ankle,” Christie mentioned of his short-term exit from the competition towards his former staff. “I bought it re-taped and completed the sport. It is not critical.”
Christie scored 24 factors, together with 4 3-pointers. He’s in a number of the greatest perimeter capturing type of his profession, pulling down 20 of 38 from deep in his previous 4 outings following a two-game absence with sickness.
“Simply being aggressive,” Christie mentioned of his easy however profitable method. “Being aggressive to attain, being aggressive to get to my shot. … If I am aggressive, it may possibly result in different teammates in my gravity as properly. Guys (opponents) are going to assist off of me and provides teammates driving lanes. Simply persevering with to be aggressive and persevering with to attempt to keep constant.”
Dallas coach Jason Kidd was left to lament a poor fourth quarter at each ends, which denied his aspect a fifth successive victory.
“Defensively, we could not get stops,” he mentioned. “And offensively, down the stretch, we had been 1-for-9. Had some attractiveness, and in addition had some turnovers, which led to them with the ability to capitalize.”
The Bucks have gained their previous seven conferences with the Mavericks, whose towards the Bucks was on April 3, 2022 in Milwaukee.
–Area Degree Media
