CHICAGO (AP) — NBA leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss a fourth straight game, but the Milwaukee Bucks expect star guard Damian Lillard to be back in the lineup Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls.

Antetokounmpo traveled to Chicago with the Bucks, but the team sent the two-time MVP back to Milwaukee, coach Doc Rivers said before the game. He is battling a non-Covid illness after missing two games due to back spasms.

“Not good enough to play,” Rivers said. “So he basically just had to pay additional tolls.”

Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.7 points per game.

Ian Maule/AP

Lillard, who averaged 25.7 points, missed two games with a respiratory illness after sitting out two games with a right calf strain. Rivers said there are no restrictions on Lillard, an eight-time All-Star like Antetokounmpo, but he will watch the 34-year-old closely.

“I don’t know what this thing is,” Rivers said. “But a lot of people have experienced it, and everyone has a different perspective on it.”

The Bulls, who have lost three straight, will again be without guard Ayo Dosunmu, who has a strained right calf and will be reevaluated in 10 days. Dosunmu was injured in Monday night’s 112-91 loss to the Bucks.

Guards Josh Giddey (right ankle) and Lonzo Ball (illness) and forward Matas Buzelis (illness) will return Saturday, coach Billy Donovan said. Forward Jalen Smith (left ankle) is out.

It’s time to start paying attention to your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and more.

Report a typo or error