MILWAUKEE (AP) - Luke Ridnour spoke to reporters Friday, then slipped into a back office to talk with Andrew Bogut. With Michael Redd gone, too, the Bucks' injury list is a bigger topic than their first-half success.
The Bucks said Ridnour will miss four weeks after breaking his right thumb in practice on Thursday. Ridnour was wearing a soft cast Friday."It was kind of a freak deal," said Ridnour, who got the thumb caught in a teammates' jersey when the player slipped and ripped the bone. "I felt it right away. It's unfortunate to have it happen. But what can you do about it? Just try to stay positive, stay in shape and just pray that it heals quickly."
Earlier Thursday, general manager John Hammond dealt point guard Tyronn Lue to Orlando for shooting guard Keith Bogans. The trade was meant to give Milwaukee depth with Redd out for the season after tearing ligaments in his left knee on Jan. 24 in a win against Sacramento.
On that play, Redd drove to the basket and fell on Ridnour.
Now, the point guard acquired in a three-team trade before the season that sent Mo Williams to Cleveland will be sitting for a prolonged period, too.
Ramon Sessions is the lone backup who has received major minutes this season, while Damon Jones has plenty of NBA experience but has only played 19 minutes over three games. Shooting guard Charlie Bell previously filled in the role in past seasons.
Head coach Scott Skiles says he's not sure that they'll go out and sign another point guard in the interim or move forward with a combination of Sessions, Jones and Bell.
The Bucks, who only have 11 available players, have a relatively light schedule coming up over the next month because of the All-Star break and a busy January.
Milwaukee has been a surprise this season and is currently tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks (24-28) are two wins from matching last year's total and next play Detroit on Saturday night.
But even before Ridnour's injury, Milwaukee was missing Redd and Bogut, the former No. 1 pick who said Thursday he is out for eight weeks with a stress fracture in his bothersome back.
"We've got to continue to play," Ridnour said. "We're in the eighth spot, we've got to keep fighting, believe that's our spot and keep winning games and still make it. So, we've got to make the most of it."
Ridnour had started 49 games, averaging 10.7 points and a team-high 5.7 assists.
The trio of Ridnour, Redd and Bogut combines for 44 percent of the Bucks' scoring, 38 percent of their rebounds and 49 percent of their assists this year.
"It's just been crazy, those guys out for the year, that's something," Ridnour said. "We've just got to keep going, keep winning, keep playing hard. Good things will happen."
