Milwaukee is taking the floor in Indianapolis on Friday night without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out for the sixth consecutive game with a strained left calf.
Antetokounmpo was ruled out Friday at shootaround with Khris Middleton (right ankle) questionable.
The Bucks, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, and sixth-seeded Pacers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven first-round series with Game 3 on Friday night.
Middleton scored 23 points in Game 1 and had 15 points and six assists in Game 2. He was listed Thursday as doubtful for Game 3, but head coach Doc Rivers said the former All-Star was able to do light work on Friday.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night in Indianapolis before the series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday (April 30).
Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the final three games of the regular season after the two-time MVP exited the April 9 win over the Boston Celtics.
The Pacers dominated the regular-season series with the Bucks, going 4-1. In Milwaukee’s lone win this season over Indiana on Dec. 13, Antetokounmpo scored 64 points with 14 rebounds and four steals to carry the Bucks to a 140-126 victory.
Antetokounmpo, 29, played in 73 regular-season games and the eight-time All-Star averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists on a career-best 61.1 percent shooting from the field.
–Field Level Media
Kahleah Copper scored a career-high 38 points, including 26 in the second half, to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 88-85 victory over the visiting Atlanta Dream on Saturday night….
P.J. Washington made two free throws with 2.5 seconds left and the Dallas Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference finals for the second time in the past three seasons with…
Diamond DeShields scored 16 points and Marina Mabrey added 14 to lead six players in double figures and help the visiting Chicago Sky to an 83-74 win against the Dallas…
Tight finish sends Mavs past Thunder, into Western Conference finals
Sky earn split with Wings, first win for new coach
Knicks’ Josh Hart, OG Anunoby questionable for Game 7
Report: Aces’ sponsorship deal under investigation