NBA Injury Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George are questionable and more updates on Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton | December 17, 2022
Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has been officially listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz. “The Greek Freak” is reportedly dealing with left knee soreness.
Over the last three games, Antetokounmpo has been posting subpar numbers, which could be due to his left knee. He averaged 21.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.7 steals while hitting just 37.5% of his shots, including 18.2% from deep. During that stretch, he also made just 21-36 free throw attempts for 58.3% efficiency.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) now listed questionable for Saturday.
The Milwaukee Bucks might be giving the six-time NBA All-Star a break before the team starts a brutal five-game road stretch.
Before the year ends, the Bucks will take on the New Orleans Pelicans, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls on the road.
Bobby Portis is expected to start in place of the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner if the Bucks keep him sidelined.
Meanwhile, Paul George is also suffering from left knee soreness, which could force him to miss another game for the LA Clippers. He did not play last Thursday in the Clippers’ loss to the Phoenix Suns for the same reason.
LA supposedly kept the former NBA Most Improved Player of the Year winner out of the Suns game for load management. The soreness in his knee must have been more significant than expected, as he could miss two straight games.
Paul George (knee) questionable for Saturday.
Paul George last played on Wednesday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. George posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Clippers to a 99-88 victory over the Timberwolves.
Clippers head coach Ty Lue could insert Nic Batum or Luke Kennard into the starting lineup if George remains out. Norman Powell would have been a better and more natural replacement, but he’s been ruled out due to a left groin strain.
Khris Middleton: Right knee soreness; Injured since December 15, 2022
Khris Middleton will be in street clothes tonight when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Utah Jazz. Middleton played only 22 minutes in the Bucks’ humiliating 142-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.
The three-time NBA All-Star didn’t look injured in the defeat to the Grizzlies. He played for roughly two quarters as Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer waved the white flag with about half of the third quarter left.
The Bucks have submitted their injury report for tomorrow night’s game against the Jazz.
OUT: Joe Ingles (left ACL surgery), Khris Middleton (right knee soreness)
Probable: Jrue Holiday (non-COVID illness), Serge Ibaka (non-COVID illness)
Khris Middleton has played only seven of the Bucks’ 28 games this season. He was sidelined at the start of the season after undergoing wrist surgery on his non-shooting hand in the offseason.
“Khash Money” is having an up-and-down season so far as he tries to get his rhythm and conditioning back. He is only averaging 11.1 points, the worst since his rookie season when he averaged 6.1 PPG.
Pat Connaughton, Julius Nwora and Grayson Allen should see their minutes go up without Middleton on the roster.
Deandre Ayton: Left ankle sprain; Injured since December 13, 2022
Deandre Ayton has been ruled out by the Phoenix Suns when they face the New Orleans Pelicans for the third time in nine days. Ayton sprained his left ankle on Tuesday in the Suns’ 111-97 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Ayton did not play in the second half of the contest versus the Rockets before sitting out the game against the LA Clippers last Thursday.
Deandre Ayton (left ankle sprain), Cam Payne (right foot sprain) and Duane Washington Jr. (left hip; muscle strain) all remain out for tomorrow's game against the Pelicans
Bismack Biyombo is expected to take up Ayton’s spot again in Monty Williams’ starting unit.