The Milwaukee Bucks will be without two of their top players against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday
The Milwaukee Bucks have managed okay during Giannis Antetokounmpo's second injury absence stretch this season, holding a 2-2 record with wins over the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, and with losses to the Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers. While they've gotten strong production from players like Kevin Porter Jr., it's clear they miss their star player.
Amid all of this, the two-time MVP's name is at the top of trade rumors in the NBA, but the Bucks must look past that and look to stack wins where they can and convince Giannis that the grass isn't greener. On Sunday, they'll face the struggling Brooklyn Nets as both sides will be without key players.
Bucks Injury Report
The Bucks will remain without Giannis (calf) for Sunday's contest against the Nets, as he'll be OUT, along with Mark Sears (two-way), Taurean Prince (neck), and Alex Antetokounmpo (two-way). Additionally, it will be the third-straight missed game for AJ Green (AC joint), who is listed as OUT as well.
Giannis and Green are the only two players who have played any sort of role with the Bucks this season, as both have started in every game they've played this season. For Giannis, it's been a standard great season from him, who's averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in the 17 games he's played (averages skewed by two early-exit games).
As for Green, he received a four-year, $45 million extension before the start of the 2025-26 season, as he plays out the final year of his three-year, $6.3 million deal. While he's far from a household name, he should be viewed as one of the league's best shooters, who's averaging 11.3 points per game this season on 48.9/48.5/79.2 shooting splits.
With one of the highest three-point percentages in the league, Green will become a heavily coveted player if the team opts to move Giannis and rebuild.
Nets Injury Report
As for the Nets, Haywood Highsmith (knee), Ben Saraf (illness), and Cam Thomas (hamstring) are all listed as OUT. Highsmith has yet to debut for the Nets this season since being acquired from the Miami Heat in the offseason, while Thomas last appeared on November 5th when he exited early against the Indiana Pacers.
This Nets team isn't playing for much at this point, but Michael Porter Jr. is having a career-best season and will be a player the Bucks will need to pay attention to defensively. Tip-off at the Barclays Center is set for 6:00 p.m. EST.