Shams: Giannis, Damian Lillard in Doubt for Bucks-Pacers Game 5 Due to Injuries

The Milwaukee Bucks may be significantly shorthanded once again when they take on the Indiana Pacers in Tuesday's Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Monday that "there is doubt" either Damian Lillard (Achilles strain) or Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) will play in Tuesday's contest even though Milwaukee is down 3-1.

"Both have tricky strains that complicate returns and create risk," Charania wrote.

Antetokounmpo's health was the primary focal point for the Bucks heading into the playoffs. He is dealing with this left calf strain that forced him to miss the first four games of the team's first-round series.

He also missed the final three games of the regular season, with his final appearance ahead of the postseason coming on April 9.

After Antetokounmpo missed the first two games against Indiana, Charania reported on Wednesday that he was "progressing in his recovery from a calf injury, doing some ball-handling drills and stationary jump shooting."

He also noted at the time, "this is more of a two- to four-week injury from the time he was hurt in terms of a possible return, and Tuesday marked exactly two weeks since Giannis exited the game against the Celtics."

Antetokounmpo's absence became an even bigger problem when Lillard suffered his injury in Game 3 and missed the next contest. The Bucks put up an admirable fight without their two stars but still lost by 13 points on the road.

If neither of them plays when the series returns to Milwaukee for Game 5, it will be up to Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis to preserve the team's season. Portis was ejected early in Game 4 but will return for Tuesday's matchup.