Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury during the team’s win over the Boston Celtics on April 9. The 29-year-old missed the team’s final three games of the regular season. Additionally, Antetokoummpo has missed Milwaukee’s first two games of their playoff matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Following Milwaukee’s Game 2 loss to the Pacers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania provided an injury update for Antetokounmpo.
“I’m told [Giannis Antetokounmpo] has at least started to do some stationary jump shooting…But still not much cutting, no scrimmaging, no all out running yet…I think the Bucks have to be prepared to keep playing on without Giannis.”
The next chance for Antetokounmpo to take the court is on Friday, April 26. There, they will aim to take a 2-1 lead as the series moves to Indiana. However, it doesn’t seem likely that “The Greek Freek” will make his return just yet.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Receives Troubling Injury Update
The Bucks’ Playoff Performance Without Giannis Antetokounmpo
In Antetokounmpo’s absence, All-Star Damian Lillard has stepped up in a big way. Through two games in the playoffs, Lillard is averaging 34.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Additionally, he is shooting 46.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Lillard recently talked about the team still being able to win games without Antetokounmpo on the court.
“It’s the best team I’ve been on. So we’re capable. We can win games,” Lillard told Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “And when we get (Antetokounmpo) back, we’ll be even better. So I think that’s how I’m looking at it.”
Though losing Antetokounmpo is tough, the Bucks have proven they can rely on Lillard to win games in the meantime. As a team, they are averaging 108.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, and 22.5 assists per game so far. However, Indiana has had their number for most of the season even with Antetokounmpo active. For the Bucks to advance far in the playoffs, it is fair to assume they will need Antetokounmpo back on the court as soon as possible.
“I’m told [Giannis Antetokounmpo] has at least started to do some stationary jump shooting…But still not much cutting, no scrimmaging, no all out running yet…I think the Bucks have to be prepared to keep playing on without Giannis.”@ShamsCharania updates on Giannis… pic.twitter.com/sYSnmlm9KB
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 24, 2024
The Last Word on Giannis Antetokounmpo
It would make sense for Milwaukee to want Antetokounmpo back on the court sooner rather than later. However, depending on how many more wins they pile up, it could be too late to bring him back. The last thing the Bucks want to do is rush Antetokounmpo back onto the court before he is fully healthy and re-aggravate his injury. Despite losing Game 2, the Bucks have shown they can be a competitive team without their star. For now, it makes sense for the team to keep relying on Lillard as their main guy.
Playoff Dame came to play.
35 PTS | 6 3PM | 6 REB | 3 AST pic.twitter.com/DDUvo8WW0b
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 22, 2024
At the very least, the Bucks should split the series in Indiana to come back to Milwaukee tied 2-2. Hopefully for them, Antetokounmpo will be ready and back on the court by then.
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