The Philadelphia 76ers face a Milwaukee Bucks squad without their superstar on Thursday, Nov. 20. Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a low-grade left groin strain and is sidelined. The 76ers arrive in Milwaukee running on tired legs after dropping a back-to-back to Toronto the night before.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo out 1-2 weeks with left adductor strain. Injury happened vs Cleveland on Monday.
- Tyrese Maxey leads 76ers at 31.9 PPG this season. He’s carrying Philadelphia through injuries.
- Bucks missing 3 key players: Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, and Antetokounmpo.
- 76ers also battling injuries: Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Adem Bona all out.
- Game tips off 8:00 PM ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Injury Crisis Forces Two Teams Into Battle
Both franchises show up bruised and depleted. The 76ers dropped their second night of a back-to-back to Toronto Monday. Philadelphia fell 121-112, squandering a furious fourth-quarter rally. Tyrese Maxey continues his brilliant season with 24 points and 9 assists against Toronto.
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Meanwhile, the Bucks had two days to prepare after losing 118-106 to Cleveland on Nov. 18. That’s when Giannis suffered his groin injury in the second quarter. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers expects him to miss “probably 2 weeks.”
Who Can Step Up Without Star Power?
For Philadelphia, everything runs through Tyrese Maxey. The young guard averages 31.9 PPG and shoots 46.1% from the field. Without Joel Embiid managing his right knee, without Paul George recovering from injury, Maxey is essentially the 76ers offense.
Andre Drummond provides reliable rebounding. He sits just 2 offensive boards behind Dikembe Mutombo for 12th all-time in NBA history. That edge matters when both teams lack depth.
The Bucks must find offense without Giannis. Damian Lillard recently showed 43-point dominance earlier this month. Milwaukee will lean on him to deliver scoring punch at home.
Head-to-Head Matchup Details
Let me break down the critical numbers for each squad:
| Category | 76ers | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 8-6 | 8-7 |
| Top Scorer | Tyrese Maxey (31.9 PPG) | Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.2 PPG) – OUT |
| Missing Players | 4 key contributors | 3 key contributors |
| Strength | Guard play with Maxey | Without Giannis, depth tested |
The 76ers showed grit in their Toronto loss. Quentin Grimes scored 21 points, erupting for 15 in the fourth. VJ Edgecombe also added 21, proving Philadelphia has scoring options beyond Maxey.
Such depth will matter tonight. The 76ers battle fatigue from their back-to-back. Meeting a Bucks team that had two days rest creates a major advantage for Milwaukee.
Key Moments to Watch Tonight
- Does Damian Lillard take over offensively for Milwaukee without Giannis?
- Can Tyrese Maxey stay aggressive despite 76ers exhaustion from back-to-back?
- Will Andre Drummond‘s rebounding dominance control the glass?
- Does Philadelphia‘s bench production keep pace with Bucks‘ depth?
- Can 76ers overcome resting disadvantage on the road in Milwaukee?
Can the 76ers Pull Off a Road Win Without Their Stars?
This stands as a true dog fight contest. Both rosters sport major absences. The 76ers arrive exhausted from back-to-back play. The Bucks remain without their two-time MVP for multiple weeks ahead.
Yet Tyrese Maxey has proven he can carry Philadelphia through injury chaos. His 31.9 PPG average ranks elite-level scoring. If Maxey gets hot from 3-point range, the 76ers have a genuine shot at stealing this game.
The Bucks must find their rhythm without Giannis running team offense. Damian Lillard becomes even more critical. Milwaukee‘s role players need to step in big.
What happens when two injury-plagued Eastern Conference rivals collide? Watch Nov. 20 unfold and see which team adapts better to missing pieces.
Sources
- NBA.com – Official game preview and injury reports for 76ers-Bucks matchup
- ESPN – Real-time injury updates and Giannis Antetokounmpo status report
- USA Today – Giannis groin strain severity and expected recovery timeline
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.