Ament's Ankle Puts His Preseason Return on the Calendar

By the Bucks Nightly Desk · Friday, October 9

Milwaukee beat Oklahoma City 128-126 in Friday's preseason game, but the win cost the roster its rookie forward to a sprained left ankle. Nate Ament is unavailable for now, with Milwaukee targeting Sunday's game at Charlotte, Oct. 11, as his likely return.

Bucks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Friday in Oklahoma City

Milwaukee beat the Thunder 128-126, its second preseason game and first true road test. Kel'el Ware anchored the box score with 18 points, 12 rebounds, a near double-double in just his second game as a Buck. The win cost the roster, though — Nate Ament went down with a sprained left ankle.

Saturday

The team listed Ament with an ankle, leg and left-side designation, not cleared to play. Milwaukee's early line points to a return this Sunday, Oct. 11, at Charlotte — the same day as the next preseason game on the schedule. No word yet on how the rookie forward responds to his first game out.

This week

Milwaukee signed Johni Broome this week and moved on from Butler, leaving the roster at twenty-one players. Camp is giving way to game minutes now, with three preseason games left before the regular-season opener at Washington on Oct. 21, when the record finally moves off 0-0.

The rest of preseason

Two more preseason games follow Charlotte — the Bulls at home on Oct. 14, the Pacers on the road on Oct. 16 — before Milwaukee opens the season at the Wizards on Oct. 21. The open question is whether Ament's ankle costs him reps just as Taylor Jenkins is still sorting out his forward rotation.

Next Milwaukee visits Charlotte on Sunday, Oct. 11, the date Ament is targeting for his return.

Will Nate Ament play against the Hornets on Oct. 11?

He's not yet cleared, but Milwaukee is targeting Oct. 11 at Charlotte, the same day as the next preseason game, as his likely return from a sprained left ankle.

What was the score of the Bucks' preseason win over the Thunder?

Milwaukee won 128-126 at Oklahoma City on Oct. 7, with Kel'el Ware posting 18 points, 12 rebounds.