NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 23
Underperformer: Milwaukee Bucks
The Eastern Conference playoff race is gearing up to be fierce with roughly 10 games left in the regular season. One team that can’t afford a collapse right now is the Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately for them, they’ve lost two games in a row and that’s not the worst of it.
Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo left their game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in the second quarter with an ankle sprain. Antetokounmpo was unable to return, showing the potential severity of the injury.
Here's how Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered his ankle injury... he will not return to the game tonight.
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 22, 2018
(via @brewhoop)pic.twitter.com/K88Pjys1FW
The Bucks went on the lose the game, 127-120. Milwaukee has posted a 14-24 record against potential playoff teams this season. Teams seeded in playoff position are outscoring them 107.3-103.9 on average, a stat that won’t win the Bucks too many games come April.
Milwaukee has some things to fix and recent reports show they were close to trading Jabari Parker, who many suspect won’t be on the roster next season. Changes are afoot for the Bucks franchise, but focusing on the NBA Playoffs and beating playoff-caliber teams should be their biggest priority right now.