NBA Playoffs marred by injuries and officiating woes
The GIST: Now that’s the chaos the NBA is known for. After close calls in both Denver and New York on Monday, the Milwaukee Bucks became the first home team to lose this postseason after the Indiana Pacers beat them 125–108 last night.
- With the fun just beginning, here are the biggest stories dominating the postseason push.
Injury updates: Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced ah-det-oh-KOON-boh) is out until at least Friday with a pesky calf injury, leaving his Milwaukee Bucks to battle without him in last night’s aforementioned upset loss, an L that evens the series.
- Out in Hollywood, superstar Kawhi Leonard was back on the hardwood after missing Game 1 with a knee injury, but that wasn’t enough to lift his LA Clippers who lost 96–93 to the Dallas Mavericks, knotting the series at one game each.
- And rounding out the injury report, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid’s surgically repaired knee looked tender, but the reigning MVP willed his way to 34 points in Monday’s 104–101 loss to the NY Knicks. No pain, no gain?
Refereeing complaints: It’s not just injury woes plaguing the playoffs. The Sixers are expected to file a grievance with the NBA over the officiating of their first two games vs. the Knicks. The grievance isn’t an official protest (so the results of the games will stand), but it is a chance for the team to voice their displeasure — and they just might have a point.
- The LA Lakers aren’t impressed with the refs either. After the Purple and Gold blew a 20-point lead in Monday’s 101–99 L to the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James had some choice words about the league’s replay center. Scoville level spice.
