The Milwaukee Bucks earned an important 104-91 win over the Boston Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA, on Tuesday, which allowed them to officially clinch a playoff spot.
However, they had to endure a scary moment when superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a non-contact leg injury.
The Bucks are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 48-31 record, and they’re trying to fend off the New York Knicks, who are in third place with a 47-32 mark.
Their final three games won’t be easy — they play the Orlando Magic, who currently have the fourth seed in the East, twice, and will also face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference, on the road.
All season long, Milwaukee has greatly underachieved despite the addition of Damian Lillard last summer, and it has been a source of consternation for their fans.
The team ranks just 19th in defensive rating, and doesn’t get enough easy baskets, as they are just 23rd in fast-break points per game.
On the bright side, the Bucks did tie Boston 2-2 in the season series, which suggests they should have at least a shot at upsetting them come playoff time.
But handling Antetokounmpo’s injury is job one right now, and calf strains have to be handled with care.
The last thing the Bucks want is a repeat of what happened to Kevin Durant, who suffered a calf strain during the 2019 playoffs, then returned a month later in the NBA Finals and promptly tore his Achilles.
