The Nuggets and Bucks have a lot in common these days. Both teams finally broke through and won a championship in recent years around their MVP superstar who got them over the hump. In the Nuggets’ case, Nikola Jokic won back-to-back MVP Awards before leading Denver to the promised land.
In the case of Milwaukee, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo who won back-to-back league MVPs and then got the Bucks a title. Both teams and superstars have been trying to get back ever since but have experienced bad luck and roster turnover, proving how difficult it truly is to win it all in the NBA.
This season, both teams have been battling to stay afloat in their respective conferences and clinging to their status as contenders. Jokic has had yet another MVP-caliber season for Denver, keeping them alive for a top-four seed in the West with a depleted supporting cast while Giannis is doing the exact same thing in the East.
The two teams meet on Wednesday night in Denver in a crucial battle for seeding, but both teams are dealing with massive injury concerns.
Nikola Jokic upgraded to doubtful for Wednesday night
Jokic has missed five games in a row with elbow and ankle injuries, but Michael Malone recently stated he would return at some point during the team’s current five-game homestand. In line with that statement, the Nuggets officially upgraded Jokic’s status to doubtful for Wednesday night’s game against the Bucks.
He’s still unlikely to return, but the upgrade indicates that he’s getting closer and provides some hope that he can make his return on Friday against the Jazz or Tuesday in a big game against the Timberwolves.
Giannis ruled out with foot injury
Giannis has been fighting through his share of smaller injuries all season but has mostly been able to stay on the court and hasn’t missed a game since the All-Star break. He has been on the injury report for just about every game this season but has been available much more often than not. Perhaps it's just a matter of rest, but on Wednesday morning, Antetokounmpo was officially ruled out with a foot sprain.
Damian Lillard out indefinitely with blood clot
For the Bucks’ other star, things have taken a drastic turn for the worse. On Tuesday, it was reported that Dame Lillard has deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and will be out indefinitely. Lillard has quietly had a very good season and has played in 58 of the team’s games, but this blood clot in his calf is alarming and concerning.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard has sustained a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf. Lillard is on blood-thinning medication, which has stabilized the blood clot, and will continue with regular testing. He is out indefinite period. pic.twitter.com/CC7k9bXnZV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 26, 2025
It’s great that they’ve diagnosed the issue and Dame is getting the proper treatment, but this is a devastating blow for the Bucks who may now be without their second-best player for the rest of the season, and perhaps beyond.