Milwaukee Bucks injury crisis deepens as Nikola Mirotic is ruled out by thumb fracture
Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss Wednesday's game against Cleveland Cavaliers with ankle sprain
Wednesday 20 March 2019 23:24, UK
The Milwaukee Bucks have suffered another injury blow after power forward Nikola Mirotic was ruled out for two to four weeks with a "slight fracture" of his left thumb.
The Bucks are currently without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Malcolm Brogdon, Pau Gasol, Sterling Brown, Donte DiVicenzo and George Hill.
Now Mirotic, who was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline to provide depth off the bench, will endure a significant absence, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.
Since the trade, Mirotic has played in 14 games (three starts), averaging 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.
Mirotic sustained the injury in the Bucks' 115-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and will likely be out for the rest of the regular season, with the playoffs beginning on April 13.
MVP contender Antetokounmpo was ruled out of the Bucks' meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night as he continued his recovery from a sprained right ankle.
"He's making progress," coach Mike Budenholzer said of Antetokounmpo.
"He just can't go tonight. It's us hopefully being smart and being somewhat cautious, but it's more than that.
"He can't play. We'll see how the next 24 to 48 hours go, and I'm hopeful he'll be in a good place as we move forward."
The Bucks, who hold the NBA's best record at 53-18, host the Miami Heat on Friday.
