Brynn Anderson/Associated PressATLANTA - The Hawks were without Trae Young for the first quarter of Tuesday's Game 4 match between Atlanta and Milwaukee. Trae had suffered a bone bruise on his right foot in Game 3 so he was out.With 7:14 left to play in the third quarter, the Milwaukee Bucks were in a similar situation. Two-time league MVP Giannis Antitounmpo was injured in his left knee and couldn't return.Their injuries are a sad, but not uncommon, trend in playoffs this year with star players. This creates additional concerns for teams and presents them with opportunities.These opportunities and their impact are amplified during the playoffs. This is a time when the role players either rise to the occasion and face it head-on or succumb under increased pressure.Young and Antetokounmpo were both crucial to their teams as the go-to players. However, there have been many players in Atlanta and Milwaukee who have excelled in leadership roles.With 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, Khris Middletonnot Antetokounmpo (or Young) was Milwaukee's best player.Lou Williams scored 21 points on Tuesday for the Hawks. He shot 7 of 9 from the field, which was a very efficient shooting night. There were eight assists and one turnover.Williams is a long-standing member of the NBA's elite reserves. This can be seen in his three wins of the Sixth Man of the year award (2015, 2018 & 2019).His performance was more important than his playing, because he played well when there was high pressure to win.When it comes to determining whether stars make the playoffs or stars make the playoffs the latter is the winner.The reason?Being a playoff star brings you a different level of credibility than those who have had their best days before the playoffs.Williams is an example.The 31-year old has been a double-digit scorer every year since he joined the NBA, except for his two first NBA seasons. He has more than 15,000 points in his career.Yet, even if the Hawks win over the Bucks to advance to the NBA Finals his past accolades will be insignificant compared to what he did Tuesday to fill in for injured Young and lead Atlanta to a series tie that would take them back to Milwaukee for Game 5.The Bucks are on the other side, as is Middleton, their All-Star.His foot speed and ability to play above the rim will not blow you away. His ball-handling is not as good as it was two years ago.Middleton has been a great player, on some nights even better than any other player on the court.He reached Game 4 with an average of 23.1 points per game in the playoffs, along with 7.9 rebounds (a career high) and 4.7 assists.As the series progresses, it becomes clearer that the team moving on will be the one whose players make the pivot from a solid role player to a playoff superstar.The latest on Antetokounmpo and Young InjuriesIt is unclear if Young's absence from Game 4 was a one-game deal or if he will be out for the remainder of the series.Nate McMillan, Atlanta interim head coach, stated that Young would be the game-time coach for Game 5.Antetokounmpo is a subject of greater uncertainty and concern. Antetokounmpo had 14 points and eight rebounds before his injury on Tuesday. He also had three assists.Antetokounmpo, who clearly had lost as much weight as possible, walked towards the bus after the game. ESPN's Malika Andrews reported Antetokounmpo would have an MRI when he returns to Milwaukee.Although there are many similarities between the stars who sustained injuries, one thing is clear.Young sustained his injury in the third quarter of Game 3. He would return to the floor shortly afterward, but he would spend the last minute of Game 3 on the Hawks bench.Antetokounmpos suffered an injury about halfway through Game 4. However, unlike Young Antetokounmpo didn't return.Antetokounmpo lay on the Atlanta Hawks bench near the baseline for several seconds before he was helped to his feet and was eventually able to walk off the ground with the help of Thanasis Antetokounmpo, his brother, and the Bucks medical staff.Atlanta led 62 to 52 when Antetokounmpo left on the floor.The Hawks took less than three minutes for their lead to be doubled to 74-54.According to a Bucks source, Antetokounmpo wouldn't have been able return to Game 4 with the injury, regardless the score.Although coaches and players differ on how momentum is used in games, it is clear that the Hawks return to Milwaukee confident in their play, regardless of whether Young is available.The series may be decided by who can transform into stars and one-night wonders, so the Hawks have more options than the Bucks to fill that role.Antetokounmpo's uncertain status for Game 5 places an even greater value on Middleton who has proven himself to be the best player on both the floor and when Young is healthy.Middleton scored 16 points in Game 4. He has demonstrated the ability to make shots that are hot regardless of how defensively-minded teams may try.Hawks interim head coach Nate McMillan stated that a guy like (Middleton), when that kind of zone is created or that type player, you can't let him catch it. This is the first. Do your homework early, deny him a catch, or force him to catch it. If he becomes hot, you should send him help.This is easier than worrying about Antetokounmpo.The Bigger PictureWe are now seeing the fragility of the NBA's championship-contending teams.The Eastern Conference Finals does not have a patent for key players who are unable to play due to injuries.Despite missing key players on the journey, their Western Conference brothers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Clippers, have both made it to the conference finals.Since Game 4 against the Utah Jazz, the Clippers have managed to get it done without Kawhi Leonard.Paul George, a fellow Clippers All-Star, has been Leonards' go-to guy. However, role players Reggie Jackson (and Terance Mann) have been crucial in helping the Clippers keep their season alive despite being shorthanded.The Suns won Games 1 and 2, without Chris Paul, who was a top five finisher in the league's MVP awards. Cameron Payne, a reserve player, was able to fill in for Paul and averaged 20 points.Paynes's strong play was yet another reminder that stars can be created in the playoffs when their play matches the moment.
