Jabari Parker: Photo Courtesy of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said forward Jabari Parker will not be back to the lineup in time for the start of the regular season. Kidd said the Bucks hope to see Parker return to action sometime in November if his rehab from A-C-L knee surgery continues to go well.
Kidd said the Bucks have several options to fill in for Parker, including John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Johnny O’Bryant and Chris Copeland.
Henson hasn’t worked at the power forward position during the preseason yet, but that could come in the final two preseason games, including tonight’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Kohl Center in Madison.
If the Bucks go with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the “4”, they’ll still have to make alternate plans for the regular-season opener. Giannis has been suspended for the opener for his action in Game 6 of last season’s playoff series against the Chicago Bulls, when he body-slammed Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy into the front row of seats.
The Bucks and Timberwolves will also play Friday in the Twin Cities to close out the exhibition season.