As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in what should be a blowout win, they are dealing with ominous health news.

According to the NBA's latest injury report, up to four Milwaukee players could miss the clash against their Central Division nemesis, which begins at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Three-time All-Star Bucks small forward Khris Middleton continues to recover from two ankle surgeries he underwent over the summer and has already been ruled out. Starting shooting guard Gary Trent Jr.'s status has been downgraded to questionable as he deals with a bruised right calf. All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-defensive center Brook Lopez were both downgraded to probable. Antetokounmpo is dealing with right patellar tendonitis, while Lopez has a right quad contusion.

On the Bulls' side, 3-and-D reserve point guard Lonzo Ball will receive a rest to protect his left knee. The 6-foot-6 UCLA product played his first game since January 2022 in the Bulls' season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. He has undergone three surgeries and is being rested to manage the recovery.

All three of Chicago's two-way players – power forward EJ Liddell, big man Adama Sanogo and guard DJ Steward – are listed as questionable, meaning they may be sent to Hoffman Estates to suit up for the Windy City Bulls, Chicago's NBAGL- Partner to apply. Rarely used, hyper-athletic Chicago backup Dalen Terry was dealing with left patellar tendonitis, but his status was upgraded to available.

Playing without Antetokounmpo, Lopez, Middleton and Trent could prove costly for Milwaukee, even against a Bulls club with a 28.5 win over/under projection for the season. For some reason, there are so many guards in Chicago that head coach Billy Donovan often uses some of those players at power forward.

Antetokounmpo, an eight-time All-Star, is one of the league's most dynamic two-way players. In his first game for Milwaukee this year, a 124-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, the 29-year-old scored 25 points on 8 of 11 shooting from the field, grabbed 14 boards, handed out seven dimes and blocked a shot away.

He ended Chicago's 123-111 loss to the Pelicans with a lineup of four guards and starting center Nikola Vucevic. Even with such a lopsided roster, the Bulls have talent – ​​especially at guard. Should at least one of Antetokounmpo or Lopez play, the Bucks could still have enough to survive one of the Eastern Conference's weaker squads.

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