By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following group play through recent weeks, the Quarterfinals of the 2024 NBA Emirates Cup will decide the four teams to move on and contend for the Cup in Las Vegas.
In single-elimination contests on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks host the Orlando Magic in Fiserv Forum and the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Dallas Mavericks in Paycom Center.
As was the case over several recent team outings, the Milwaukee Bucks have listed Giannis Antetokounmpo as probable to play citing right patella tendinopathy. Barring a setback, the Greek Freak is set to play.
Khris Middleton still dealing with issues from ankle surgery and MarJon Beauchamp with left hamstring tendinopathy are also listed as probable. Due to a left ankle sprain, Chris Livingston is the only player out for the team coached by Doc Rivers.
For the Magic, German Franz Wagner was recently added to the injury list with a tear in his right oblique, joining Paolo Banchero, also out with a torn right oblique. Due to a left hamstring strain, Gary Harris is listed as out as well. Jonathan Isaac is questionable with a right hamstring strain.
Georgian Goga Bitadze and Germans Moritz Wagner and Tristan Da Silva are expected to be available for head coach Jamahl Mosley.
Maxi Kleber is out
Moving to the German import of the Mavs, Maxi Kleber is set to sit out a second straight game with an illness. Dante Exum rehabbing since surgery in his right wrist, Jaden Hardy with a right ankle sprain, and Brandon Williams with a right thumb sprain are also out. Meanwhile, P.J. Washington was listed as questionable due to an illness. Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic is healthy and looking to lead his side to the Semifinals of the Cup.
For the hosts, French Ousmane Dieng and Serbian Nikola Topic are stuck on the injury list due to a right ring finger fracture and recovering from left knee surgery, respectively. Chet Holmgren due to a right iliac wing fracture, Adam Flagler with a fracture in the fourth metacarpal of his right hand, and Jaylin Williams with a right hamstring strain are also out. In contrast, German Isaiah Hartenstein and Belgian Ajay Mitchell are healthy.