RealGM Basketball Wiretap

08 May 2024

• Pistons To Formally Request Interview With Jon Horst For President Of Basketball Operations Role

  The Detroit Pistons are set to formally request an interview with Jon Horst for their vacant president of basketball operations position, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

  It is unknown whether the Bucks will grant the request.

  The Pistons have also been linked with Tim Connelly and Scott Perry for the position.

• Giannis Antetokoumpo 'Wasn't Even Close' To Being Able To Return

  Giannis Antetokoumpo was unable to appear in the first round of the Milwaukee Bucks' series against the Indiana Pacers due to a calf injury.

  Antetokoumpo's status heading into Game 6 was slightly more promising, but he was ruled out.

  "I tried my best to come back to help my teammates," Antetokounmpo said Friday. "It's kind of hard to see them being out there and not being able to help them, but I just couldn't.

  "I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes. I wasn't even close at checking the boxes."

  Antetokoumpo suffered the injury at the end of the regular season and last played on April 9th.

  Antetokoumpo missed multiple playoff games last season as well with a back injury.

  Antetokounmpo was asked if he might change his approach next season.

  "I don't know. Maybe I do follow a different pattern," Antetokounmpo said. "Maybe try different things. I don't like the word 'rest.' Like, if I can play, I will play. If I cannot play, I can't play.

  "I'm for sure going to sit down and think about it, of how my summer is going to look like and how next year is going to look like."

• Patrick Beverley Refuses To Answer Questions From Reporters Not Subscribed To His Podcast

  Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley refused to allow an ESPN producer to be a part of postgame interviews following the Bucks season-ending loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Beverley asked producer Malinda Adams if she was subscribed to his podcast. When Adams said she was not, Beverley said "You can't interview me then."

  As another reporter asked Beverley a question, the Bucks guard asked Adams to leave the interview circle entirely. Beverley again stated that Adams couldn't be a part of the interview because she's not subscribed to his podcast.

  Other local reporters shared that this behavior is nothing new for Beverley. He's apparently taken the same stance with others since his arrival in Milwaukee following the trade deadline.

• Patrick Beverley Has Confrontation With Pacers Fans As Game 6 Ends

  Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley had a confrontation with Indiana Pacers fans seated behind the Bucks bench. Beverley appeared to throw a basketball at the fans twice as Milwaukee was wrapping up a season-ending loss in Indiana.

  Beverley took to Twitter/X after the game to post "Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair."

  The NBA has regularly fined players for throwing items, including balls, into the stands.

• Damian Lillard Returns For Game 6 At Pacers, Giannis Antetokounmpo Remains Out

  Damian Lillard will return to the lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 at the Indiana Pacers after missing their Game 5 win. Lillard is dealing with an Achilles injury.

  Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, will remain out as he continues to deal with a calf injury.

  The Bucks trail the Pacers 3-2 in their first round series.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Will Attempt To Play Game 6

  Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) will both try to play in Game 6 on Thursday for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers.

  The Bucks trail the Pacers 3-2 with Antetokounmpo missing the entire series so far.

  Lillard missed Game 5 with the Achilles injury, which the Bucks won.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard 'Very Close' To Return, Could Play Game 6

  The Milwaukee Bucks staved off elimination in Game 5, beating the Indiana Pacers 115-92. The Bucks won the game without both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who are both currently injured. The win was the first in NBA history for a team without their two top scorers from the regular season.

  Antetokounmpo and Lillard have a chance to return for Game 6 at Indiana.

  Doc Rivers said both players are scheduled to work out on the court during the off day Wednesday.

  "I think they're very, very, very close," Rivers said.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Could Both Miss Game 5

  The status of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) and Damian Lillard (Achilles tendon strain) is in doubt for Game 5 as the Milwaukee Bucks face a potential elimination.

  Antetokounmpo has missed the entire series with the injury, while Lillard missed Game 4.

  The Bucks trail the Indiana Pacers 3-1 in the first round series.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard Out For Game 4

  The Milwaukee Bucks face some long odds as they seek to even up their first round series against the Indiana Pacers. Not only are the Bucks on the road while trailing 2-1 in the series, but Milwaukee will also be without both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

  Antetokounmpo is still out as he attempts to recover from a strained calf. Lillard is out due to a strained Achilles that he re-aggravated in the Bucks Game 3 loss.

  Indiana now has a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead before things shift back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.

• Doc Rivers Doubts Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Play In Game 4

  The Milwaukee Bucks are potentially down a second superstar, with Damian Lillard battling an Achilles strain. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Giannis Antetokounmpo, the first injured Bucks superstar, will be back for Game 4 either.

  When asked where Antetokounmpo is at with rehabbing his strained calf, Rivers said "He's working out tomorrow. Going to go hard, early and then we're going to make a decision".

  Rivers was asked if Antetokounmpo works out before Sunday's Game 4 if the star forward would play. Rivers didn't commit, but seemed to lean towards Antetokounmpo not playing.

  "I doubt it," Rivers said. "But we'll see."

  The Indiana Pacers lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Indiana on Sunday. The series shifts back to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Tuesday.