MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Bucks were without the five starters Friday night as they hosted the Charlotte Hornets one night after losing to Dallas.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP starter, was left out of his fourth straight game with a left knee injury. He lost his sixth game in the last 11.
Jrue Holiday (left left knee), Donte DiVincenzo (right hip hip), Brook Lopez (sore back), Khris Middleton (sore right knee) and reserve striker PJ Tucker (tense left calf) were also declared out . Middleton and Lopez were classified as questionable Friday afternoon’s injury report, but Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said in his pre-match availability that neither will play.
Charlotte isn’t very close either.
The Hornets announced Saturday that Gordon Hayward would be missing at least a month with a sprained right foot. LaMelo Ball, candidate for the novelty of the year, has not played since March 20 due to a fractured right wrist. Malik Monk was out last week with a sprained right ankle.
The Bucks are back from a six-game trip in which they have gone 3-3. They ended the trip losing 116-101 in Dallas on Thursday.
This will be the second straight home game in which the Bucks have lost most of their key players.
The Bucks haven’t played at home since the 102-96 loss to the New York Knicks on March 27th. Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Holiday, DiVincenzo and sixth man Bobby Portis missed this match.