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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard are doubtful to play in Game 5 as Bucks face elimination

The Milwaukee Bucks head into Tuesday night's Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum down 3-1 -- a deficit only 13 teams in NBA history have overcome -- and they will likely be without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Both were officially listed as doubtful on Monday evening.

Antetokounmpo has been sidelined with a strain of the left soleus muscle in his calf suffered on April 9. Though he went through a workout Sunday morning in Indianapolis that left head coach Doc Rivers feeling optimistic the two-time league MVP could play at some point in the series, it was never narrowed down to as soon as Game 5.

Lillard is managing tendinitis in his right Achilles tendon, which he first felt in the regular season finale on April 14 and aggravated in the final seconds of regulation in the Bucks' overtime loss in Game 3 on April 26.

Lillard finished the game but didn't attempt a shot in overtime, admitting afterward he couldn't really move. After initially being in a walking boot on Saturday, Lillard was able to shed the protective device on Sunday but was clearly limping around Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Damian Lillard, left, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks watch from the sideline during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 21. Both players were officially listed as doubtful for Game 5 on Monday evening.
Damian Lillard, left, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks watch from the sideline during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on April 21. Both players were officially listed as doubtful for Game 5 on Monday evening.

That said, Rivers would not go so far as to say Lillard couldn't play again in the series should it be extended.

The good news for the Bucks is that Khris Middleton is probable to play with "only" a right ankle sprain, which he suffered in Game 2 on April 23. He briefly exited the game Sunday after his left foot was stepped on, but returned.

Point guard Pat Beverley is also probable to play with a right oblique strain, suffered in the first quarter. After the game he flatly said nothing was wrong with him and didn't entertain the idea he could miss Game 5.

More: Nickel: The not-so-secret behind Khris Middleton's elite scoring ability

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis, Damian Lillard doubtful for Game 5 as Bucks face elimination