Can Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in NBA Finals?
ATLANTA  The Milwaukee Bucks proved they were good enough to wrap up the Eastern Conference finals without their best player. Now the Bucks face a quick turnaround before Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Manila time). Its not known if that leaves Giannis Antetokounmpo sufficient time to recover from his hyperextended left knee that prevented him from playing in the final two games of the series against the Atlanta Hawks. Its just a day-to-day thing, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after a 118-107 win over the Hawks gave Milwaukee a 4-2 series victory. SEE ALSO SEE ALSO  Well update it when appropriate. The conversations between he and myself, its kind of private and well see where he is each day.  Budenholzer said he was impressed with the resiliency the Bucks showed in winning back-to-back games without Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP. Khris Middleton, who stands with Antetokounmpo as the veteran leaders on the team, scored Milwaukees first 16 points of the second half and led the Bucks with 32. Jrue Holiday added 27 points, nine assists, nine rebounds and four steals. Continue reading below   Antetokounmpo remained on the Bucks bench and was so animated, sometimes moving onto the court as he communicated with his teammates, that Budenholzer said he feared the star might draw a technical foul. Continue reading below  Recommended Videos  PHOTO: AP  Holiday said the players were inspired to win for their star who could not be with them on the court. Continue reading below   Have his back, Holiday said. I mean, Giannis is a one-of-a-kind guy. We obviously all see his basketball talent, but as a human being hes one of a kind. ... In my opinion, one of the biggest things we did the last two games was play for him, have his back and hold the fort while he was out with an injury.  Holiday added that clinching the spot in the finals without Antetokounmpo shows we are a true team.  The reward is Milwaukees first berth in the NBA Finals since 1974. Milwaukee won its lone title in 1971 and lost in the finals in 1974. Bittersweet playoffs for Antetokounmpo  Antetokounmpo was the center of the Bucks efforts to build a championship contender. Not having him on the floor took a little something out of the celebration. Theres a bittersweetness to him not being able to play these last two games, Budenholzer said. Continue reading below   The Bucks listed Antetokoumpo as doubtful before announcing he would not play. For the second consecutive game, Bobby Portis started in the forwards spot. I definitely wish he was out there with us, but hes still here with us, Middleton said. On the bench, talking to us during the game, hes still a part of it.  The Bucks were in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. They fell short of the NBA Finals the last two seasons despite posting the NBAs best regular-season record both times. Just like any team in the league, when this group hasnt been able to advance, hasnt been able to continue, its hurt, its been hard, Budenholzer said. The Bucks won playoff series against Miami, Brooklyn and Atlanta to end the franchises long NBA Finals drought. Antetokounmpo and Middleton are the Bucks veteran leaders who experienced the disappointment of falling short in the postseason the last two years. Continue reading below   Honestly, its been a long journey, but its been a great journey, Middleton said. Its worth it.  The Bucks led only 47-43 following a sloppy first half before Middleton took over to open the second half Saturday. He scored the first 13 points following halftime, including two 3-pointers, stretching the lead to 60-43. Following a basket by Atlantas Trae Young, Middleton answered with another 3. MORE FROM SPIN MORE FROM SPIN  Middleton said he was motivated to Stay in the moment. Dont think about the situation. Dont think about what game it is. Just stay in the moment.  It was the leadership the Bucks needed to reach the finals without their biggest star. It just shows the guts of our team, said P.J. Tucker. The players wore NBA Finals caps following the game but no champagne flowed in their locker room. Nope, Tucker said before explaining: We aint did nothing yet.  We are now on Quento! to enjoy more articles and videos from SPIN.ph and other Summit Media websites.