Bucks Face Jazz Amid Injury Concerns and Road Struggles

SALT LAKE CITY – The Milwaukee Bucks, seeking consistency on the road, faced the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Monday night. The Bucks entered the game with an 8-11 road record, despite a recent improvement in their away performances. Since a rocky 2-8 start to the season, Milwaukee has gone 7-6 on the road, while the Jazz, struggling at 10-33, have lost five consecutive games and eight of their last nine.

Milwaukee’s MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as probable to play despite ongoing pain in his right knee, an issue he has managed since training camp. Forward Bobby Portis remained sidelined due to personal matters, with head coach Doc Rivers emphasizing the importance of family. “We’re going to let him take his time,” Rivers said. “There’s probably a thought he may miss the trip. With family matters, man, you just let people deal with their family.”

To address Portis’ absence, the Bucks recalled Tyler Smith from the G League, but the 20-year-old fell ill and was sent home. “We don’t want anybody sick around us,” Rivers explained. “That hasn’t gone well for this team. So, he flew out, didn’t feel well, and because of what’s happening with our group, we just got him out quick.” The team then called up Chris Livingston for additional depth.

Khris Middleton, returning from a nearly week-long layoff due to travel disruptions caused by snow in New Orleans, struggled in his first game back, going 0-for-4 from the floor in 19 minutes. Despite being downgraded to questionable for the Jazz game, Middleton participated in the morning shootaround and warmed up as usual. Rivers noted, “He wants to play the first to see if he can go the second.”

The Bucks, currently on a four-game Western Conference trip, will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Monday’s game tipped off at 8 p.m. CT, with Milwaukee favored by 9.5 points and an over/under set at 236.5 points, according to BetMGM.