Bucks Prepare for Knicks Amid Player Absences

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks‘ game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, head coach Doc Rivers announced that guards Cole Anthony and Gary Trent Jr. are set to play despite dealing with non-COVID-19 illnesses. Both players are expected to be listed on the team’s injury report.

Backup power forward Kyle Kuzma is also unavailable due to illness, and starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. remains sidelined with a left ankle sprain. The Knicks announced they will be without rim-running center Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury) and backup guard Miles McBride (personal reasons).

Anthony, 25, has impressed since signing with the Bucks. After a buyout with the Orlando Magic, he was inked to a minimum contract by Milwaukee. In his two games, he’s averaging 16.0 points with shooting splits of .684/.429/.429 and has tallied 6.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. His shooting performances suggest a promising start for the season.

Gary Trent Jr., 26, is also making his mark with Milwaukee as the starting two-guard. He’s currently averaging 14.3 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game, demonstrating his value on the court.

On a more significant note, the Bucks are coming off a tough 118-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In that game, Giannis Antetokounmpo shone brightly, scoring 40 points and nearly achieving a triple-double with 13 rebounds and nine assists. He became the third player in NBA history to start a season with three consecutive games of at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.

Antetokounmpo’s performance is historic; he is the first player to record over 100 points, 40 rebounds, and 15 assists in a season’s opening three games. ‘He’s that guy that he’s going to step up, regardless of how he’s feeling,’ said Bucks guard AJ Green.

Rivers expressed admiration for Antetokounmpo’s resilience and playmaking, especially given the absence of key players. ‘That’s why we made sure we kept his minutes in that 33 range,’ Rivers said. ‘He handled the ball for the majority of the game.’ Antetokounmpo’s free-throw shooting (11-of-16) highlighted his ability to play aggressively despite physicality from the Cavaliers.

The Bucks managed to close a significant deficit during the game, showcasing their fight even without their full roster. Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of resilience moving forward: ‘It doesn’t matter who plays. As long as you go out there, you’re going to give it everything you have.’

As the Bucks prepare for the Knicks, Antetokounmpo is determined to bounce back. ‘Good teams don’t lose two in a row,’ he said. ‘Gotta go back home. We play against the Knicks, and hopefully, we can get a win.’