Ersan Ilyasova Injury: Updates on Bucks Star's Groin and Return

Ersan Ilyasova has been out of action since Jan. 27, when he suffered a groin injury against the Miami Heat. He's available off the bench for Friday's game vs. the Rockets.

Continue for updates. 

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Ilyasova Available off Bench vs. Rockets

Friday, Feb. 6

The Bucks announced that Ilyasova is available for Friday night's game.

Ersan Ilyasova dressed for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers but did not play, via Greg Matzek of 620 WTMJ, which made that the fourth straight game he's missed with a strained groin. 

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Ilyasova Injures Groin vs. Heat

Tuesday, Jan. 27 

Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova will not return to Tuesday night's game against the Miami Heat due to a sore groin.

Ilyasova, 27, was limited to 10 minutes in the first half as Milwaukee got out to a 54-50 lead. He scored four points and grabbed one rebound on 2-of-4 shooting. John Henson and Kenyon Martin will split power forward minutes with Ilyasova out. Jason Kidd may also experiment with moving Giannis Antetokounmpo to the 4 in small-ball lineups.

Ilyasova was making just his 10th start of the season, as Kidd continues to shuffle his power forward minutes following Jabari Parker's season-ending ACL tear. The Turk is averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, the former his worst since 2010-11 and the latter his lowest number since his rookie season. 

A nasal fracture and a concussion earlier this season cost him most of December and the first half of January. Assuming the groin injury keeps him out at least one game, Ilyasova will have his third campaign of missing 20 or more games—his second in a row.

Once viewed as a long-term building block—the Bucks signed him to a five-year, $40 million extension that doesn't expire for two more seasons—injuries and inconsistent play have hampered his development. 

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