The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks released the status of their respective star player on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been listed as doubtful, while Trae Young is questionable for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday.
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined by a hyperextended left knee, an injury he suffered in Game 4. Young has missed two consecutive games with a bone bruise that surfaced on his right foot after stepping on the foot of an official in Game 3.
The status of both players may not be known until shortly before tipoff at State Farm Arena.
Both teams have shown they can win without their most prominent players.
The Hawks led from start to finish in a 22-point romp in Game 4, though it must be noted Milwaukee was showing signs of a comeback until Antetokounmpo went down in third quarter, landing awkwardly after a futile attempt to block Clint Capela’s dunk.
With Young and Antetokounmpo both sidelined in Game 5, the Bucks returned the favor with a wire-to-wire victory after racing to a 20-point lead in the opening quarter.
Nate McMillan said Young hasn’t felt comfortable enough to test his ailing foot under game conditions.
“If Trae could play, he would be out there,” the coach said. “It’s both the medical (staff) and Trae giving us feedback as far as him being able to play in the game. It’s not anything that’s long term. It’s just he has pain that is not comfortable enough for him to get out there and feel like he can help the team.”
Milwaukee is up 3-2 and can lock up its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974.
Game 6 tips off Sunday in Atlanta at 8:30 a.m. (PHT).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The status of Antetokounmpo and Young is currently similar to their original Game 5 designation.
