Bucks rally without Giannis for 6th straight win

MILWAUKEE — Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Monday’s game against the LA Clippers with left Achilles tendinitis, but Milwaukee was able to rally for a 113-106 victory and extend its winning streak to six games.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo has been dealing with the issue for the past few games.

Antetokounmpo took the court for his usual pregame shooting routine a few hours before the game but stopped a few times to stretch his legs out. Eventually, he cut his routine short and headed back to the locker room.

“It’s been on and off the last two or three games,” Rivers said Monday. “This morning he actually looked good … we’ll just figure it out from there.”

It was Antetokounmpo’s third missed game of the season and first since Jan. 17. He is averaging 30.8 points on a career-best 61.9% shooting, to go along with 11.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

The Bucks were also without forward Khris Middleton, who has been sidelined since he sprained an ankle on Feb. 6 in Phoenix.

Rivers said Middleton’s ankle is improving, and the team hopes he can return at some point during an upcoming four-game West Coast road trip.

“He’s just not ready,” Rivers said of Middleton. “Close … but again, if it’s not 100% for us, we’re just not willing to push it right now. There’s no need to.”

Damian Lillard scored 41 points on 12-of-22 shooting against the Clippers, while Bobby Portis added 28 points and 16 rebounds off the bench as Milwaukee overcame a 15-point second-half deficit.

It was the Bucks’ fourth 15-point comeback win this season and second since Rivers took over as coach.