Tracking the larger sentiments of Bucks fans week by week.
Even casual Bucks fans are well aware of how snakebitten the team has been in terms of star player injuries since the 2021 title, particularly those to Giannis Antetokounmpo. No one then with the franchise is at fault for Kevin Love stepping in front of Giannis in an attempt to draw a charge less than one half into the 2023 NBA Playoffs, which was the death knell for that 57-win team. Perhaps last year’s soleus strain was a result of overuse, perhaps not.
Whatever way you look at the last two curtailed postseason runs when it comes to Giannis’ health, with four regular-season games left this year, he’s been on the injury report for essentially the entire season in 2024–25. We may not know how much the oft-listed tendinopathy actually affects him, wherever it is (now left shoulder after left knee for forever), but he’s appeared in 65 games, including the NBA Cup final. He’s ostensibly as well-prepared for the postseason as he was every year prior to 2024. But do you expect that to continue?
In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we get a temperature check on Damian Lillard’s status after rumors that he may return and again see how your opinion on the Bucks’ playoff seeding is evolving. For reference, playoffstatus.com has Milwaukee at 79% odds to remain in fifth, 3% odds of trading places with Indiana for fourth, and 18% of swapping with Detroit for sixth. We also want you to weigh in more on Mike Budenholzer’s somewhat awkward reunion with the Bucks in recent weeks.
As always, this poll will be open until midnight Central on Friday, and we’ll post the results later that day. Thanks for voting!