NEW ORLEANS — The Milwaukee Bucks were forced to adjust their strategy for Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans as they decided to rest star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The decision, announced before tip-off, was made by Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who clarified that Antetokounmpo was not suffering from any injury. The decision to rest him was largely due to his extensive playtime the previous night.
On Saturday, Antetokounmpo played a grueling 43 minutes against Miami, during which he delivered an impressive performance, scoring 36 points, pulling down 15 rebounds, and providing 10 assists, ultimately helping his team secure an overtime win. With the regular season coming to a close, and the playoff seating still being finalized, the Bucks decided it was in their best interest to give their star player a rest.
The absence of Antetokounmpo changes the dynamic of what was expected to be a thrilling matchup. Fans anticipated a clash between him and New Orleans’ formidable forward Zion Williamson. However, Williamson had already been sidelined for the rest of the season, a fact announced the previous Monday. As a result, both teams had to navigate the game without their standout forwards.
Heading into Sunday, the Bucks held a 43-34 record, positioning them precariously in fifth place for the Eastern Conference playoffs. They were just a half-game ahead of the Detroit Pistons, who were not scheduled to play on Sunday. With only a week remaining in the regular season, each game is crucial for Milwaukee as they strive to maintain their seeding position entering the postseason.