MILWAUKEE (AP) 鈥� Damian Lillard was available and Giannis Antetokounmpo was out for the Milwaukee Bucks鈥� game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Lillard was set to return after missing the Bucks鈥� last three games. The seven-time all-NBA guard sat out a for personal reasons before missing Milwaukee鈥檚 next two games with a strained right groin.
The Bucks鈥� initial injury report listed Lillard as questionable with a strained right adductor, but he was later upgraded to available. The Bucks later ruled out both Antetokounmpo and reserve guard Patrick Beverley.
Milwaukee has gone 1-7 in the games Lillard has missed this season.
Antetokounmpo has an issue with his left hamstring. The two-time MVP played on back-to-back nights in losses to and this week.
鈥淗onestly, and I鈥檓 not kidding, there were times in the middle of the third (quarter), I wanted to take him out of the game,鈥� coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday night after Antetokounmpo played 37 minutes and scored 35 points against the Grizzlies. 鈥淚 thought he was running on fumes. As a coach, you have to make a judgment call sometimes.
鈥淢edical makes the call. They kept saying he鈥檚 OK. But I have eyes. I just didn鈥檛 like the way he was moving. He kept asking to go back in. But I wish I had just said, no, honestly.鈥�
Beverley missed a second straight game with a sprained right ankle.
The Bucks were trying to snap a two-game skid Friday as they attempt to strengthen their hold on second place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors have lost 15 straight.
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AP NBA:
The Associated Press
