MILWAUKEE — A 127-95 defeat by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday saw the Milwaukee Bucks formally removed from playoff contention, thereby concluding the league’s second-most enduring current run.
Regular challengers since Giannis Antetokounmpo’s selection in 2013, the Bucks had achieved nine consecutive postseason berths prior to the current campaign. The Boston Celtics presently maintain the most extensive current run, at 11.
Milwaukee lacked Antetokounmpo’s presence for a sixth consecutive match, owing to a left knee overextension and bone contusion. He has participated in merely 36 games thus far in the current campaign, a significant factor contributing to the Bucks’ difficulties. The Bucks have suffered defeats in nine of their preceding eleven contests.
The two-time MVP’s future availability has lately been linked to discussions concerning deliberate underperformance and the athlete involvement guidelines. In a declaration issued earlier in the current week, the National Basketball Players Association seemed to criticize the Bucks for aiming to sideline Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the season.
Concurrently, the Spurs secured their eighth consecutive victory and their thirteenth in their preceding fourteen matches, advancing to within two contests of the leading Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference rankings.
Stephon Castle recorded a triple-double with 22 scores, 10 distributions, and 10 boards; concurrently, MVP hopeful Victor Wembanyama contributed 23 scores, 15 boards, and six distributions.
The Associated Press provided input for this article.