Milwaukee

Bucks

On the heels of an impressive win over the Celtics earlier this week, the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks looked completely discombobulated without their franchise cornerstone in this one as they fell behind by nearly 30 points in the second half. Milwaukee is just 2-8 without Antetokounmpo, who remains sidelined with groin and calf issues. It was Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis that led the way during Friday’s victory, but they were relatively quiet in this one with Trent going off for a team-high 20 points. He did most of his damage from beyond the arc, draining 4-of-8 from three-point range. The Bucks will attempt to get back on track when they kick off a two-game week on Thursday against the Raptors before facing the Timberwolves in a road matchup.

Green has missed a little over a week of the season with a shoulder injury and that absence will extend through Sunday’s game against the Nets. Kyle Kuzma will likely remain in the starting lineup with Gary Trent Jr. seeing additional minutes off the bench.

Portis is averaging 11.2 points per game this year, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the lineup he’s put up at least 22 points in two of his last three games. The 30-year-old power forward was very efficient with 27 points on 13 attempts and five made three-pointers. He’s still in a reserve scoring role, but with Giannis sidelined there’s more of a runway for Portis to hit his ceiling.

There’s a lot of slack to pick up with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the lineup. That’s certainly playing into some of the numbers Porter and his teammates have put up recently, not that fantasy managers are complaining. Porter was one assist and three rebounds shy of a triple-double last week against the 76ers. He was able to pull of the triple-double Thursday against the Celtics, but the bigger takeaway is Porter has consistently put up solid numbers this year and Giannis being out has only added to has value in the short-term.

Kuzma started, played 31 minutes and led the Bucks to victory with 31 points while Giannis Antetokoumnpo and AJ Green were sidelined. This was the best case scenario for fantasy managers that used the 30-year-old power forward as a deep league streamer. Kuzma will only return to a reserve role Sunday against the Nets if his teammates are off the injury report.

Already without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks also won’t have AJ Green again due to a shoulder injury. Trent moves into the starting lineup for Thursday’s game, with Jericho Sims being moved to the bench. While he doesn’t possess the highest fantasy ceiling, Trent is worth a look in deep leagues due to the opportunity.

Initially questionable for Thursday’s game, Green has officially been ruled out. Kyle Kuzma should remain in the starting lineup, with Gary Trent Jr. providing additional depth off the bench.

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.