Milwaukee

Bucks

Prince spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since surgery. He admitted that “the only way to hoop again was to get the surgery.” He said he is “100 percent” certain that he’s going to play again, but there is no timeline for his return. At this point, Prince is just thankful that he’s “still here to speak and be able to have an opportunity to hoop again.”

Green hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in last Friday’s game against the Pistons. Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters Green could be available on Thursday. If he’s out again, expect Kyle Kuzma to start and Gary Trent Jr. to play significant minutes off the bench.

Green missed Saturday’s game after injuring his shoulder on Friday, which allowed Kyle Kuzma to start in his place and log while 29 minutes, and for Gary Trent Jr. to also play 29 minutes off the bench. If Green returns, Kuz will return to a reserve role, and both will lose out on minutes.

Rollins had a rough night shooting the basketball, and he’s gone 10-of-27 from the field in the two full games the Bucks have played since losing Giannis Antetokounmpo to a strained calf. While the former MVP’s absence means increased usage for players like Rollins, it also means increased attention from opposing defenses. The Bucks will play twice in Week 8 and have four games in Weeks 8 and 9 for those competing in leagues that will combine the two weeks due to the NBA Cup.

With AJ Green (shoulder) joining Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) on the sidelines, Kuzma was tabbed to move into the starting lineup. While he wasn’t great, things could have been worse for those familiar with the forward’s recent fantasy history. Kuzma’s final stat line only lacked a block, and he shot just under 50 percent from the field. With Green likely missing multiple games, Kuzma will have some value in deep leagues despite the track record.

No Giannis Antetokounmpo means there’s more room for Porter to spread his wings offensively, and the Bucks certainly need him to do it. He was highly productive against the Pistons, with the 32 points being a season-high. Not only did Porter record a complete line, but he was efficient, shooting well over 50 percent from the field and committing just one turnover. KPJ is rostered in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and that number should increase after Saturday’s performance.

Already without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks won’t have AJ Green for Saturday’s game, either. His absence means Kuzma moves into the starting lineup, raising his fantasy ceiling.

Green injured his left shoulder during Friday’s loss to the 76ers and will not play on Saturday. Kyle Kuzma started the second half in Green’s place and will likely move into the starting lineup. While not the most consistent player, Kuzma is worth rostering given the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Green injured his shoulder in Friday’s game against the 76ers and didn’t return. The 26-year-old shooting guard will be replaced in the lineup by Kyle Kuzma if he’s ruled out against the Pistons on Saturday.

Rollins put together a nice two-way performance, despite the loss to Philadelphia on Friday. He was efficient from beyond the arc and was one of the Bucks’ more reliable playmakers as well. The fourth-year guard has remained productive with Kevin Porter Jr. back from injury — the two are co-existing nicely in the starting backcourt so far, which should be a relief for those fantasy managers who had their doubts.