Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard out vs. Bulls

Field Level Media|published: Mon 23rd December, 14:42 2024

Dec 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without several key players in Monday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls, including stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the team announced.

Antetokounmpo is dealing with back spasms, while Lillard is out with a non-COVID illness. Lillard has also recently been struggling with a right calf strain that initially had him listed as questionable for Monday's game in Chicago.

Both are less than a week out from helping the Bucks defeat the Oklahoma Thunder 97-81 in Las Vegas to win the NBA Cup title.

Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double in Tuesday's win with 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, earning NBA Cup MVP honors. He was also a unanimous selection by all 20 media members on the voting panel to anchor the 2024 NBA Cup all-tournament team announced Thursday, and Lillard joined him on the team with 19 votes.

Guard AJ Johnson and forward Chris Livingston are both out against Chicago with non-COVID illnesses.

Khris Middleton, who recently came back from offseason surgery on both ankles that sidelined him for the first 21 games this season, is available to play.

--Field Level Media

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