NBA injury report: Is Giannis playing for the Bucks tonight against New Orleans Pelicans?

[ASFN Admin]

The Milwaukee Bucks' playoff picture could become a little clearer on Thursday night if they can beat the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks (45-34) could finish no lower than fifth in the Eastern Conference - with an outside shot of reaching No. 4 - with a win and a loss by the Detroit Pistons against the New York Knicks.

More: Bucks' Bobby Portis Jr. savors return to basketball following 25-game suspension

Is Giannis playing?​

Yes. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness, but head coach Doc Rivers said before the game that Antetokounmpo is available. Rivers said Pat Connaughton is available, too.

What time is the Bucks-Pelicans game?​

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.

What channel is the Bucks game on?​

It will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson, and Melanie Ricks on the call.

Bucks injury report​

• Jericho Sims, out (right thumb surgery)
• Damian Lillard, out (right calf deep vein thrombosis)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (non-COVID illness)
• Pat Connaughton, questionable (right ankle sprain)
• Tyler Smith, out (right ankle sprain)

Bucks probable starters​

• Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince
• Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Center: Brook Lopez

Bucks vs. Pelicans odds, over/under​

Milwaukee is an 15.5-point underdog against Minnesota, and the over/under is 220.5 points per BetMGM.

Eastern Conference playoff bracket​

This what the playoff bracket looks like heading into Thursday’s games:

• No. 1 Cleveland vs. No. 8 Play-in winner
• No. 4 Indiana vs. No. 5 Milwaukee
• No. 2. Boston vs. No. 7 Play-in winner
• No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Detroit

Eastern Conference playoff standings​

With just a few games to go in the regular season, this is how the Eastern Conference standings look:

• Cleveland (63-16)
• Boston (59-20)
• New York (50-29)
• Indiana (48-31)
• Milwaukee (45-34)
• Detroit (43-36)
• Orlando (40-40)
• Atlanta (37-42)
• Chicago (37-43)
• Miami (36-44)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo's status revealed for Bucks-Pelicans

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