Pressure was already high on the Bucks going into the game with Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo missing his sixth straight match. So when Lillard was also ruled out prior to tip off, expectations for Milwaukee were already low. However, the Bucks rallied as a team and battled to a 103-101 win in Minnesota after new signing Kyle Kuzma scored 19 points and registered 13 rebounds. It leaves Milwaukee fifth in the Eastern Conference heading into the All-Star break before they return to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 20. Despite the win, some fans have been left with a sour taste over Lillard’s decision to miss the game. Ahead of the match, ESPN reported that the star would still participate in the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in San Francisco this week. This means Lillard will play in Saturday’s 3-point contest and Sunday’s new look competition despite a hamstring soreness that ruled him out of Wednesday’s match. Lillard is a two-time winner of the 3-point shootout and is committed to defending his title, ESPN also added.
Sunday’s game will also be the point guard’s ninth All-Star appearance, and he hopes to replicate the performance that earned him MVP last season.
With so much on the line for Lillard, some fans understand his desire to attend All-Star weekend, while others believe he has incorrectly prioritized the festivities over a Bucks game. “So game that counts out but scrimmage in? Make it make sense,” one admirer remarked on X.
“Looks like he has priorities in line. “Smh,” another wrote.
“What a joke this league is,” another commented.
“PATHETIC!!! “Return the fans’ money,” one fan wrote.
To be fair to Lillard, the All-Star game is not the most physical game, but with the new structure, which features four teams competing in a mini-tournament, the game may carry a greater level of risk.
Ultimately, Bucks supporters will be watching Lillard’s performance in both the 3-point contest and the All-Star game, hoping he emerges from the weekend totally healthy.
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