The Milwaukee Bucks win Game One of the playoffs, minus their internationally-known 6′ 11″ star | WUWM 89.7 FM

The Milwaukee Bucks are again within the NBA playoffs — presently minus their internationally-known star Giannis Antetokounmpo — who stays out with a leg harm.

However Sunday night time, the workforce’s different high-profile participant, guard Damian Lillard, was as much as the duty and scored 35 factors within the first half on the way in which to a 109-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Recreation 1 of their best-of-seven first-round collection.

That happy fan Terrence Mims says that after he heard Antetokounmpo wasn’t enjoying, he had doubts in regards to the Bucks successful. “I used to be most likely about 40% to that. Somewhat underneath half with Giannis being out and the way in which the Pacers have been enjoying us,” Mims says.

In the course of the common season, Indiana received 4 out of 5 video games towards Milwaukee.

Fan Sheila Teague predicts the Bucks can win the NBA Championship the way in which they did three years in the past, particularly if Antetokounmpo recovers from his leg harm quickly.

She says playoff basketball could be very entertaining. “I imply, all people is admittedly hyped-up, inspired. They’re doing it. And we’re simply attempting to be right here to help them,” she says.

However fan Seth McDorman emphasizes Antetokounmpo has to come back again to assist Lillard, who is commonly referred to as “Dame.” “Sure, they undoubtedly want Giannis, however I really like the very fact that they’ve Giannis and Dame. Dame is getting some good expertise with out Giannis,” McDorman says.

The Bucks haven’t supplied a return date for Antetokounmpo, who has a strained calf muscle.

Regardless of Lillard’s first-half dominance, it took robust second-half performances from Bucks veterans Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis to stave off a Pacers rally.

Lillard says he hopes the workforce will play properly in Recreation Two Tuesday night time and that followers present the identical power as Sunday night time.

“Like earlier than the tip (off), I used to be standing in my spot and noticed a bunch of towels waving within the air. I’ve by no means seen it simply leaping. I used to be simply wanting round and mentioned, ‘It’s loopy right here,’” Lillard says.

Which, to many, seems like Bucks followers at playoff time.