Tuesday’s MRI produced a diagnosis of a one to two week absence for Giannis Antetokounmpo following the left groin injury he suffered against Cleveland. Replacing his production as a playmaker and dominant scorer will, of course, be the Bucks’ biggest question, but they’ll also have to figure out how to fill the void of minutes in the frontcourt.
The most obvious result is increased minutes for Jericho Sims. Having benchwarmed for most of the season, Sims will get his first real shot to prove his worth.
Giannis’ absence is opportunity for Sims to show up and show out
If the latter part of Monday’s game was any indication, deploying Sims more often may indeed be Doc Rivers‘ solution going forward. After Giannis’ second-quarter exit, Sims played his second-most minutes this season, 12. His season-high? 18 minutes in Milwaukee’s Giannis-less loss to Charlotte a week ago.
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers center Alex Len (27) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Predictably, he hasn’t seen the floor much otherwise, averaging 7.3 minutes per contest in 10 appearances. In that small dose of playing time, Sims is averaging 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds.
He’s not going to replace Giannis’ scoring, obviously, but he does offer some of the rim protection the Bucks lose in the Greek Freak’s absence. He also serves as a lob threat and rim running big in the way that Giannis can when the mood strikes him. Sims won’t create his own dunks and lay-ins, but he should be available on the receiving end of passes from Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony.
After re-joining the Bucks on a two-year minimum deal in free agency (player option in year two), Sims now has the chance to vindicate that vote of confidence from the front office. It’s not like he stuffed the stat sheet following his trade deadline arrival last season (1.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG). However, the Bucks liked his athleticism and energy enough to bring him back despite limited opportunities for minutes in the frontcourt.
Mar 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
As long as Giannis is out, Sims should see his playing time double or even triple on a nightly basis.
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