Bucks’ DiVincenzo injures foot, done for the playoffs
The Milwaukee Bucks have cruised past the Miami Heat with ease to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round playoff series but lost a valued starter on Thursday night when Donte DiVincenzo exited with a foot injury in the second quarter.
Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium first reported that DiVincenzo suffered a serious tendon injury in his left foot during the Bucks 113-84 victory. He will miss the rest of the playoffs.
Significant blow for DiVincenzo and Milwaukee. He played a major role as starting guard on the title-contending Bucks, averaging 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season. https://t.co/Bp3gS4UJiU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2021
Sources told Charania that DiVincenzo will be seeing a specialist in the coming days to determine the length of rebab and recovery.
During the first two games of the series against the Heat, DiVincenzo averaged 30 minutes, four points, 8.5 rebounds, and four assists. He relied on more as a defensive specialist.
The Milwaukee Bucks have also said that DiVincenzo has undergone an MRI in Miami by team physician Dr. Vetter. There was no indication as to the severity of the injury.
DiVincenzo, 24, underwent an MRI and subsequent examination today in Miami by team physician Dr. Carole Vetter of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. The MRI revealed the injury. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 28, 2021
This season, the third-year guard and 17th overall pick in 2018 from Villanova averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 66 games played. He started all 66 games as well.
The Bucks will likely have to turn to P.J. Tucker, Bryn Forbes or Pat Connaughton to replace DiVicenzo in the starting lineup. Tucker, who was traded to the Bucks in mid-March from Houston, has played in 20 games and made one start for Milwaukee. He hasn’t played big minutes with the Bucks, but averaged somewhere around 30 minutes per game with the Rockets.
Meanwhile, Forbes has made 10 starts this season in 70 games and averaged 10 points. He had a breakout performance in game 2 of the series against the Heat with 22 points and six 3-pointers.
Connaughton has played 69 games this season and make four starts, averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. Forbes and Connaughton would be an upgrade offensively in the starting lineup that already features four players scoring over 12 points. No matter who the Milwaukee Bucks choose between the three to replace DiVincenzo they have enough depth to keep playing as they have been.
The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to close out the series with a sweep on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT in Miami.