Is Giannis playing? TV overview, odds, starters

On By Littum

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CHARLOTTE — The Milwaukee Bucks will look to win their third straight game when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

The Bucks (4-8) have won two straight without stars Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, while the Hornets (4-7) have lost two in a row.

Yes. Giannis Antetokounmpo then likely started the day as he continues to deal with pain in his right knee. He’s coming off a 59-point performance Wednesday night against Detroit.

Lillard reported concussion-like symptoms and entered the NBA’s concussion protocol Monday night after being hit in the head during Sunday’s game against Boston. He didn’t make the trip to Charlotte.

“I don’t think it’s a level of concern — he’ll pass the test at some point,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before the Hornets game. “We were hopeful, though. We thought it was going to be a one-game thing and it just hasn’t been. They have these parameters in place to protect the players from themselves, and it makes a lot of sense.”

Lillard was accidentally hit in the face by a referee who waved off a late shot as time expired in the third quarter of the Bucks’ loss to the Celtics. He played nearly seven minutes in the fourth and went 0-for-2 from the floor. He reported a headache on Monday.

Lillard was publicly entered into the NBA concussion protocol via the Bucks at 20.16 on Monday and was immediately ruled out for Tuesday’s game, but he was on the bench for that game. There was some belief that he might be available vs. Pistons, but he was ruled out Wednesday afternoon and did not participate in that game.

More: Lori Nickel: As the Bucks move the ball more, an emphasis on the Khris Middleton-inspired passing game is in order

According to the NBA concussion policy, if a player is diagnosed with a concussion, a player must be monitored for 24 hours and may begin physical activity after that period. He “may not return to full participation without limitation: (i) for at least 48 hours after the time of injury; and (ii) until after he completes the required return to participation process.”

Read the 2024-25 NBA concussion protocol

The game tips off at 2pm on FanDuel Sports Network with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.

  • Khris Middleton, out (surgery on both ankles)Rivers: “The concern is Khris — that hasn’t changed — we want to make sure Khris is healthy. He’s doing everything he needs to do to make it. He just hasn’t made it on the floor yet. I don’t get that; of course I wish everyone could play for our team, that I don’t get so frustrated because there’s nothing I can do about it.
  • Damian Lillard, out (concussion protocol)
  • Ryan Rollins, out (left shoulder instability)
  • Bobby Portis Jr., available (right elbow contusion)Note: Portis went through warmups and it was determined he could play against the Hornets.
  • AJ Green, available (left shoulder impingement)
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, available (right patella tendinopathy)
  • Watchman: Delon Wright, Andre Jackson Jr.
  • Extenders: Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Prince of the Bulls
  • Center: Brook Lopez

The Bucks are 3.5 point favorites over the Hornets and the over/under for the game is 216.5 points per game. BetMGM.