MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin — Top players from Milwaukee Bucks no go for Sunday match against the Detroit Pistons as both teams don already secure their playoff slots. The Bucks dey fifth and Pistons dey sixth for the Eastern Conference standings.
Milwaukee don clinch dem No. 5 seed after dem win 125-119 against Detroit on Friday. The Bucks go face the Indiana Pacers for first round matchup, while the Pistons go confront the New York Knicks for dem own playoff return since 2019.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, no go play Sunday because him dey battle tendinopathy for him left shoulder. Other key players wey go miss the game na AJ Green, Brook Lopez, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Ryan Rollins, all because of different reasons.
Antetokounmpo finish regular season with strong numbers, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Him join Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players wey don ever average 30 points and 10 rebounds for three consecutive seasons.
The Pistons also no dey bring their full squad as Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson no go play due to injuries. Stewart don miss the last game on Friday too, while both teams dey prepare for their playoff journey wey go start on April 19.
Giannis’ absence for the final game fit signal say the Bucks dey play for rest more than competition as dem don secure dem playoff position already. Coach Mike Budenholzer fit use this opportunity to manage player workloads as postseason approach.
The Bucks don dey struggle with injuries recently, as nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard don miss the last month due to blood clot for him right calf, with unclear status heading into playoffs. Rim-protecting center Jericho Sims still dey recover from UCL sprain, while Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis dey rest.
With many lineup changes, alternate players get chance to shine for Bucks like Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins wey dey likely play Sunday. This give dem opportunity for last-minute adjustments before playoffs.
Milwaukee’s last win against the Pistons dey mark dem seventh consecutive victory, giving them a 47-34 record this season. The win also drop Detroit to 44-37. The matchup for April 19 against Indiana gree plenty expectation from fans as dem hope say the Bucks fit go far in the playoffs.
