Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee Bucks. (Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports)
The Milwaukee Bucks get the worst news possible regarding the health of Donte DiVincenzo.
Even if the Milwaukee Bucks should cakewalk to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a commanding 3-0 lead over the Miami Heat in their best-of-seven series, they will have to do so without guard Donte DiVincenzo.
According to Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, DiVincenzo suffered a major tendon injury in Thursday night’s win over Miami and has been ruled out for the rest of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Milwaukee is one of a handful of teams that has a realistic shot of winning the NBA Finals this season. This is a devastating blow to the Bucks’ depth and overall playoff rotation.
How long until DiVincenzo’s extended absence becomes a major issue for the Bucks’ title chances?
Milwaukee Bucks will be without Donte DiVincenzo for the rest of the playoffs
While Milwaukee has nothing to worry about with the Heat, DiVincenzo being sidelined the rest of the way will be a problem in the Bucks’ next playoff series, presumably against the Brooklyn Nets. Though the Nets’ big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving have hardly been on the floor at the same time, a lack of wing depth may prove fatal for a title contender like the Bucks.
Should the Bucks be able to advance past the Nets to the Eastern Conference Finals to take on almost certainly the Philadelphia 76ers, it may not be as big of an issue, but DiVincenzo’s absence will not help there either. And if Milwaukee wins the East, one of these supporting cast injuries could be what tips the scales to whichever team does end up coming out of the West this season.
All we know is the Bucks will need to adjust quickly to playoff life without DiVincenzo available.