Bucks' Rivers: Giannis, Dame 'very close' to returning

Head coach Doc Rivers is optimistic his Milwaukee Bucks can get their two superstars back for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

Speaking after the Bucks blew out the Pacers 115-92 without Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard, Rivers told reporters, including ESPN's Jamal Collier, that the pair are "very, very, very close" to playing again.

Antetokounmpo has missed the entire series after straining his calf late in the regular season.

Meanwhile, Lillard averaged 32.3 points across Milwaukee's first three playoff contests before injuring his Achilles late in Game 3. The Bucks dropped Game 4 without him but closed the gap to 3-2 on Tuesday.

In doing so, Milwaukee became the first team to ever win a playoff game without its two leading scorers, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.

Third-leading scorer Khris Middleton has stepped up in a big way for the shorthanded Bucks, averaging 32 points over his last three contests.

Antetokounmpo and Lillard have yet to play a postseason game together, as the latter joined the squad last offseason after an 11-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.