4/29 UPDATE: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard are doubtful to play in Game 5 as Bucks face elimination

INDIANAPOLIS – The Milwaukee Bucks officially ruled out stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard for Game 4 tonight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, but the two were doubtful to play begin with.

Lillard was in a walking boot to protect his right Achilles tendon following a team film session Saturday, and Bucks head coach Doc Rivers was pessimistic the all-star point guard would be able to play. Lillard aggravated the tendon in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in Friday night's 121-118 overtime loss to Indiana in Game 3. He stayed in the game and played nearly the entire 5-minute overtime, but he didn't attempt a shot.

Lillard did get an MRI on the Achilles tendon, which clarified the extent of the injury to the team but Rivers declined to offer any other details. The coach would not rule the point guard out for the series, however.

"Not shutting him down," Rivers said. "That's a fact. I can say that much for sure."

The point guard shed the walking boot as he sat behind the Bucks bench during the game, though he was still walking with a noticeable limp.

Lillard was formally listed as being out with tendinitis in the Achilles tendon. He first injured it on April 14 in Orlando during the regular-season finale, and he missed several practices as the team prepared for Indiana in the following days.

If there is a silver lining for Lillard, he was not listed with any additional injuries. He said he twisted his left knee in the first quarter Friday night, which forced him to the locker room for testing before he ultimately returned.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update

Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since straining the soleus muscle in his left calf April 9 against Boston. He has been listed as doubtful for each game of the series with the Pacers, but he hasn't practiced in any capacity.

Rivers said the 29-year-old would go "hard" in a workout Sunday, and any determination on his future availability would be made afterward.

"It went well," Rivers said of the morning workout. "He moved, he shot, he’s running now with not resistance. So those are all very good signs."

When asked how he felt about Antetokounmpo playing against the Pacers Rivers replied, "Optimistic. More. Like I think there’s a chance for him to play in this series. I really do.”

For their part, Antetokounmpo's teammates said they didn't want him to rush back in any way and potentially expose himself to a greater injury.

"I've been in that situation where I've been sitting, itching to get back, trying to do everything I can," Khris Middleton said after the game. "I know he's doing the same thing. And I'm not going to pressure him to play when he's hurt. I've been there. I know what that feeling is like. I know if he could be out there he's gonna play. That dude has played through so much in his career that I know if he can play, he can play. And unfortunately right now he can't. So, when he's ready to play, he'll let us know."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks 'optimistic' Giannis can play in series, Lillard not being shut down