Bucks come out strong at home, injury report suggests Giannis could play against Knicks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks, fresh off a 6-0 home record at Fiserv Forum, will travel to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Dec. 23 to take on the New York Knicks. While the Bucks are on the road for the rest of 2023, this is a crucial test for one of the NBA’s top contenders.

Injury Report: Giannis Out, Crowder Out

The Bucks have three players injured: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Marjorie Beauchamp and Jae Crowder. While fans may be concerned that Giannis is listed as “probable” to play due to a sprained right foot, the good news is that he is expected to play alongside Beauchamp, who has a left elbow contusion. Both players suited up for last Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic, so there’s a good chance they’ll be on the MSG floor.

Key Players Return – Middleton and Lillard Healthy

Milwaukee got a boost with the removal of Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton from the injured list. Lillard had a great All-Star Game and played a big role in the Bucks’ six-game winning streak against the Knicks. Middleton’s workload has been tightly controlled, but his comeback from a brief back-to-back absence is still welcome.

Past meetings and season series

This will be the third meeting between the Bucks and Knicks this season. Milwaukee has two victories at the Fiserv Forum, one in the group stage of the 2023 NBA season and the other in an elimination game.

However, the Bucks’ eight-game winning streak over the Knicks (dating back to November 2021) is a noteworthy statistic. New York is eager to break that record with its first win against the Bucks this season.

Historic Matchup Continues

Saturday’s game marked the 230th regular-season meeting between the Knicks and Bucks, with Milwaukee winning by a combined score of 124-105. The matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in the storied history of the two teams.

Looking Ahead

This season, the Bucks and Knicks will play again on December 25 (another Christmas classic!) on December 25th (another Christmas classic!) and again on April 7th. With both teams’ talented rosters and desire to win, the upcoming matchups are sure to be great basketball.