Damian Lillard will suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time on Sunday, and he will do so against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. He was traded to the Bucks just over two weeks ago, and he will give them a gigantic shot in the arm.
Milwaukee was being picked by some to reach the NBA Finals last season. Instead, it lost in the first round of the playoffs in five games to the underdog Miami Heat, and it should be supremely motivated this season.
For their contest against the Bucks, the Lakers will be shorthanded, as LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino will all sit out.
Darvin Ham says LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino will all be held out against MIL today.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 15, 2023
While James and Reaves are merely resting, Vincent has back tightness and will miss his second straight game. Vanderbilt continues to deal with a heel issue, while Hood-Schifino has a knee ailment.
Meanwhile, for the Bucks, Khris Middleton will not play.
The Lakers’ sixth and final preseason game will be on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns before they prepare for their season opener in the Mile High City on Oct. 24 versus the defending world champion Denver Nuggets.
