Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play in Thursday’s Game 6 of the first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers. However, eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard returned to the court for the Bucks after missing the previous two games.
Antetokounmpo and Lillard were both uncertain if they would play until just before the game started. They did warm-up exercises before Milwaukee decided if they could play.
Antetokounmpo hurt his left calf on April 9 and hasn’t played since then. He was unlikely to play. Lillard had a right Achilles tendon injury and missed the two games before this.
The Pacers were leading the series 3-2 and needed one more win to get to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2014.
Milwaukee avoided being knocked out of the playoffs with a 115-92 win in Game 5 on Tuesday, even without Antetokounmpo or Lillard playing.