Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James out for Bucks-Lakers game
This season's lone Milwaukee meeting between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers won't include as much star power as anticipated.
The NBA's two all-star captains last month, Bucks standout Giannis Antetokounmpo (right ankle sprain) and LeBron James of the Lakers (left groin soreness), will sit out Tuesday's 7 p.m. clash at Fiserv Forum. Each team released the news Tuesday morning at their respective shootaround.
Antetokounmpo tweaked his right ankle on a second-half drive Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers. After a scary few moments down on the floor, Antetokounmpo was able to get up and continue playing, ultimately scoring a career-high 52 points in the loss.
He downplayed the injury after the game, saying he was intent on playing through it and finishing that game. With their star's health of the utmost importance, the Bucks opted to sit Antetokounmpo Tuesday night. He joins Sterling Brown, Donte DiVincenzo and Pau Gasol as players the team has listed as out for the game against the Lakers.
The Bucks will have point guard Tim Frazier available after he signed his contract Tuesday morning. Frazier is back with the team after spending training camp in Milwaukee, noting at shootaround that makes it easier to acclimate to the team at this point in the season.
"They're the No. 1 team for a reason," Frazier said. "Great coaches, great players ... so I'm just coming in and trying to learn as much as possible and help."
The news of Antetokounmpo's absence came shortly after the Lakers announced James will be sidelined Tuesday night. He injured his left groin on Christmas and missed the next 17 games while recovering. With the Lakers out of the playoff hunt, the Lakers are being cautious with James, including announcing that they will keep him out of back-to-back games for the rest of the season.
Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, two of the Lakers' young standouts, have already been shut down for the remainder of the season due to injuries.