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May 28 (UPI) -- Milwaukee Bucks starting guard Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the NBA playoffs because of a torn ligament in his left ankle, the team announced Friday. DiVincenzo suffered the ankle injury during the second quarter of Thursday's 113-84 win over the Miami Heat in Game 3. He was driving toward the basket when he appeared to take a bad step and immediately grimaced in pain.
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The 24-year-old DiVincenzo made his way to the other end of the court near the Milwaukee bench and slapped a barrier in frustration. He then hopped to the locker room for further evaluation.
The Bucks initially called it a left foot contusion, and Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer said there was hope within the team that DiVincenzo would only be out a small amount of time.
An MRI on Friday, however, revealed the ligament damage in DiVincenzo's ankle.
"It's a tough blow, but you have to kind of process and understand it's an unfortunate thing, but we have to prepare and get ready," Budenholzer told reporters. "Other guys will have opportunities."
In three playoff starts for the Bucks, DiVincenzo averaged 2.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and one steal over 23.3 minutes per game.
DiVincenzo started 66 games during the regular season, averaging career highs of 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
"On an individual, personal level for Donte, it's really, really tough," Budenholzer said. "But his mentality, his approach, any time Donte is thrown some adversity or thrown something that's difficult for himself or for everybody, the way he handles it just continues to be impressive."
The Bucks hold a 3-0 series lead over the Heat in the best-of-seven series. Milwaukee will look to close out the first-round series Saturday.
