The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers will both be shorthanded when they meet early Saturday morning CET at Fiserv Forum, with multiple rotation players ruled out on each side. The matchup tips off Friday at 2:00 AM CET in Milwaukee, with both teams near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Indiana enters the game without Tyrese Haliburton, who is out with a right Achilles tendon tear. Rick Carlisle’s group is also missing Obi Toppin, who is sidelined with a right foot stress fracture.
Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson are both listed as out due to being not with the team. Micah Potter is questionable with a left hip contusion, while two-way players Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson are doubtful due to G League assignments.
Siakam remains the focal point of the Pacers’ offense, leading the team with 23.8 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. Andrew Nembhard has taken on a larger playmaking role, averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 assists in 40 starts.
Milwaukee will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is listed out with a right calf strain. The former MVP is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 30 games, and his absence significantly alters the Bucks’ offensive approach.
Taurean Prince is also out following neck surgery, while Alex Antetokounmpo is unavailable due to G League status. Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey are listed as out for being not with the team.
Bobby Portis is questionable with a right hip contusion, and Gary Harris is questionable due to a left hamstring strain. Portis has been a key interior scorer at 13.2 points per game while shooting 45.2 percent from three.
Without Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee has leaned on its guard play. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins are each averaging 16.8 points per game, combining for 13.0 assists per night.
The Bucks enter the contest on a two-game winning streak after home victories over the Bulls and Pelicans. Indiana, meanwhile, has dropped two straight games at home against Utah and Houston.
Milwaukee has won both previous meetings this season, including a 117-115 victory on November 3 and a 111-94 win on December 23.
