Giannis Antetokounmpo completed a pregame workout before the Milwaukee Bucks lost 115-103 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, signaling his return from a left adductor injury is imminent. The Bucks have lost five straight games and three in a row without their star forward on the floor.
Doc Rivers told reporters that both Antetokounmpo and point guard Kevin Porter Jr. being “pretty close” to a return. However, both players were ruled out Sunday afternoon for Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers.
Portland dominated Milwaukee despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Trail Blazers led by as many as 33 points in the fourth quarter before the final margin reached 12.
Milwaukee’s offense has hit rock bottom in Antetokounmpo’s absence. The Bucks have fallen to 26th in offensive rating over the past three games at 108.6 points per 100 possessions, down from 16th through the first 15 games.
The defense has focused on neutralizing Milwaukee’s breakout star Ryan Rollins early this season. Portland assigned 6-foot-4 All-Defensive Second Team guard Toumani Camara to pressure Rollins full court.
“They’re taking Ryan out,” Rivers said after Monday’s loss. “We don’t have the option at this point to do anything else if he doesn’t have it.”
Rollins finished with 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists, but never got into a rhythm. Milwaukee’s offensive rebounding rate in three games without Antetokounmpo has dropped to 17.8 percent, compared to an already league-worst 23.9 percent.
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