Thanks to a 49-33 W/L record, the Milwaukee Bucks currently occupy the 3rd seed on the Eastern Conference points chart and will soon proceed to the upcoming playoffs. The team will kick things off by going up against the sixth-seeding Indiana Pacers. The matchup will mark the first time in 24 years that both teams will clash at this pivotal stage. While expectations were high for the Bucks to establish a strong momentum during the series through their impressive offensive lineup, lead scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent injury has cast doubt on whether the same would be possible. Despite this uncertain situation, one ‘self-proclaimed basketball junkie’ believes that there is a silver lining for the franchise going into the Pacers clash.

A few hours ago, ‘Hoops Tonight’ host Jason Timpf released another episode of his highly viewed podcast. During the same, he highlighted the upcoming Bucks-Pacers clash and why the former team has such a bad track record against their rivals. Timpf believes that the current Pacers roster is “one of the fastest teams in the league”, while the Bucks were “already one of the slowest teams in the league with Giannis, and without Giannis they’re just really really really slow”. Much of this success was credited to Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who efficiently put up a strong defense during games. This, however, is where the Bucks may find themselves at an advantage.

“The main point of optimism there, if you’re a Bucks fan, is Tyrese Haliburton hasn’t really been the same guy that he was since he hurt his hamstring” said Timpf. “That, to me, is something that we’ll have to see ‘the bear’ out there”.

Tyrese Haliburton developed a ‘Grade 1’ hamstring injury in January when facing off against the Boston Celtics. After further analysis, the player was ruled out of this team’s next few games. After missing six consecutive faceoffs, the player returned to take on Portland but was later ruled out of the next four games. Since then, however, he has consistently been on the court.

However, as the ‘Hoops Tonight’ host highlighted, there has been a considerable difference in Haliburton’s performances post his injury. During this season’s initial 35 games, he was averaging 23.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 12.5 assists. Post his injury, however, the same average dropped to 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. If Timpf’s theory turns out to be true, then even players like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton can help lead the Bucks’ offensive effort despite Giannis’ absence.

What happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Giannis was going strong all throughout the early parts of the regular season. He appeared in 73 of the total 79 games for his team. But then, disaster struck in his most recent clash against the Celtics. Even though the Bucks won that game, with 104-91, it came at a cost of Giannis going down with a non-contact leg injury, which later turned out to be a calf strain in the left leg. He barely escaped his serious Achilles tendon injury, and then this happened. Owing to both the reasons, there’s no clear timeline right now as to when will he return.

This is what his HC, Doc Rivers said earlier: “No timeline or anything like that.”  He followed by saying, “There’s no one who’s gonna work harder than him, you know that, so he’ll be back when he should be back. We’ll find out when that is. I’m hoping (he’ll be back for Game 1 of the playoffs). I don’t know, I’m just hoping.”

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Knowing the value he holds, the Bucks would like nothing more than to have their X factor back. If not, they can only hope and pray that Tyrese Haliburton and Co. do not end their championship hopes before they even begin.