Bucks All-Stars Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly have doubts about elimination in Game 5 against Pacers

A bad postseason just keeps getting worse for the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to The Athletic's Shams CharaniaThe Bucks doubt Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers.

Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the entire postseason due to a calf strain he suffered near the end of the regular season. Lillard missed Sunday's Game 4 loss due to a strained Achilles tendon that he aggravated in Game 3. Both are at risk of further injury as the game progresses.

The status update means the Bucks are preparing for an elimination game without their two best players. Indiana's Game 4 win gave them a 3-1 series lead, and the Pacers would clinch the series with a win in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The Bucks have remained competitive in games despite the continued absence of Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP and 2021 Finals MVP. They won Game 1, then forced overtime in Game 3 before losing to Tyrese Haliburton, who won the game in the last second. Before his injury, Lillard increased his scoring average from 24.3 points per game in the regular season to 32.3 points per game in Games 1-3.

With Lillard, Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis (ejected in the first quarter) out in Game 4, the Pacers were able to pull away with a 126-113 win and put the Bucks on the brink of elimination. Even with a win on Tuesday, the Bucks would face two more elimination games, with doubts still lingering over the availability of Lillard or Antetokounmpo going forward.