San Antonio Spurs eliminate Milwaukee Bucks from playoff contention
The Milwaukee Bucks have been officially eliminated from NBA playoff contention after suffering a heavy 127-95 defeat by the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
The comprehensive loss brings a bitter end to a nine-year postseason streak for the Eastern Conference franchise.
Only the Boston Celtics now hold a longer active run of consecutive playoff appearances.
Milwaukee’s alarming late-season struggles have been severely compounded by the ongoing absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo absence proves costly
The two-time MVP missed his sixth consecutive game at the weekend due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
He has featured in just 36 games this campaign, a pivotal factor behind his team’s disastrous slide down the standings.
Recent debates have intensified regarding the franchise’s medical handling of the Greek forward.
The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement earlier this week seemingly criticising the organisation for considering shutting their star player down entirely.
Without their talisman on the court, the struggling side have now lost nine of their past 11 matches.
Spurs continue impressive surge
In stark contrast, San Antonio secured their eighth consecutive victory to maintain a remarkable run of late-season form.
The Texas-based team have completely transformed their fortunes by winning 13 of their last 14 fixtures.
This relentless surge moves them within two games of the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Stephon Castle orchestrated the latest triumph by registering a dominant triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile, French sensation Victor Wembanyama further bolstered his MVP credentials by adding 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
