The Milwaukee Bucks proved they can hold their own even without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo as they secured a 135-127 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday (US time). 

Playing without Antetokounmpo for the fourth straight game due to a left calf strain, the Bucks leaned on veteran guard Damian Lillard, who erupted for a season-high 43 points, along with seven rebounds and eight assists.

Lillard was instrumental in Milwaukee’s offensive outburst, sinking eight of his 15 three-point attempts as the Bucks recorded a season-high 24 triples on 55 attempts.

Six other Bucks scored in double figures, with Gary Trent Jr. leading the supporting cast by chipping in 23 points, shooting 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. 

On the other side, Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 39 points, while Joel Embiid recorded a double-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Guerschon Yabusele added 18 points, and Paul George contributed 12 points, six assists, and three steals in the losing effort.

Antetokounmpo, who last played on 2 February in the Bucks’ 123-119 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, was initially listed with right patella tendinopathy before being sidelined with the calf issue.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that the two-time MVP will also miss the upcoming games against Golden State on Monday (US time) and Minnesota on Wednesday (US time), as well as the NBA All-Star Game next week.

“We’ve just been monitoring it, and it just hasn’t improved enough for us to play him,” Rivers said.

“If this was a playoff game, would he play? Probably yes. But this is not. And we want to make sure he’s playing in the playoffs.”

Despite missing one of their best players, the Bucks, now fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 4-6 record, continue to strengthen their standing as they look forward to Antetokounmpo’s return in time for the postseason push.