Just four days after Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks by just one point in a clutch victory, they will look for an identical result on Saturday night as both teams will go head-to-head for the fourth and final time in the regular season.
With less than a month left in the season, the Pacers and Bucks are both 37-28 and are tied for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks, however, currently hold the tie-breaker over the Pacers. Even though there is a good amount of basketball left, this game is important for both teams and could have major playoff implications, especially with homecourt advantage on the line.
Ahead of Saturday's game, here is the full injury report for the Pacers and Bucks.
3/15 Pacers injury report vs. Bucks
- RayJ Dennis (G League) - DOUBTFUL
- Enrique Freeman (G League) - PROBABLE
- Johnny Furphy (Illness) - OUT
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Quenton Jackson (G League) - PROBABLE
Rookie Johnny Furphy has popped up on the Pacers' injury report with an illness. According to the team, he has officially been ruled out. The Australian native has appeared in seven games since the All-Star break.
Besides Furphy, there are no surprises on the team's injury report.
3/15 Bucks injury report vs. Pacers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) - AVAILABLE
- Damian Lillard (groin) - AVAILABLE
- Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) - AVAILABLE
- Bobby Portis (suspension) - OUT
- Tyler Smith (back) - AVAILABLE
The only new addition to the Bucks' injury report from their last game against the Pacers is Kevin Porter Jr. due to an ankle injury. Initially listed as probable, Porter Jr. is officially active. In his first 14 games after getting traded to the Bucks before last month's trade deadline, the Seattle native is averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 51.6% from the field and 45.8% from beyond the arc.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who have combined for just one missed game since the All-Star break, also appear on the Bucks' injury report. However, they are both listed as active.
Bobby Portis, who was suspended by the league for 25 games in February due to violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, is still ineligible to compete and will miss Saturday's game against the Pacers.
Rookie forward Tyler Smith has missed each of the last two games for the Bucks because of a back injury. He is once again on the injury report but is listed as available.
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Aaron Nesmith
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Myles Turner
Milwaukee Bucks
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Taurean Prince
SF: Kyle Kuzma
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez