Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks bid to tune out Jazz

Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks bid to tune out Jazz

As the odds of the Milwaukee Bucks reaching the Eastern Conference play-in round decrease, drama involving superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is increasing again.

Antetokounmpo will sit out Thursday night's game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City due to a hyperextended left knee, and the Bucks (28-40) would like to shut him down for the season. Milwaukee is 6 1/2 games behind the Charlotte Hornets (35-34) in the race for the final play-in spot with just 14 games left for the Bucks.

They also are in a deep funk with nine losses in their past 11 games.

However, Antetokounmpo doesn't want to call it a season despite the slim chance of a miracle run. According to reports, he strongly resisted when team brass proposed that he sit out the rest of the campaign.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers was asked about the risk-reward part of the situation.

"I don't have the answer, but it's a very good question," he said. "... Honestly, that's all I have, but it's a good question. It's something we will talk about, but that's about it."

Antetokounmpo, 31, has played in a career-low 36 games during an injury-plagued season that has included frequent trade rumors involving the two-time MVP.

The trade deadline passed last month with Antetokounmpo staying put, but the Bucks are likely to see if there are interested suitors in the offseason.

Antetokounmpo's latest injury occurred during the third quarter of Sunday's 134-123 home victory over the Indiana Pacers. He then missed Tuesday's 123-116 loss to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

After the injury happened Sunday, Antetokounmpo insisted he wasn't badly hurt.

"Every time I step on the floor, I try not to take it for granted," he said. "I appreciate just being out there, especially when I'm getting my rhythm back and I'm feeling good."

The Bucks are 17-19 with Antetokounmpo on the court and 11-21 when he sits out.

Milwaukee will begin a four-game trip when it faces Utah, which has dropped four straight games and 12 of its last 14. The Bucks recorded a 113-99 home win over the Jazz on March 7, when Antetokounmpo produced 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

Utah (20-49) seemingly has been more interested in its 2026 draft positioning than in winning games. The Jazz were fined $500,000 by the league in mid-February for sitting starting players for the fourth quarter of back-to-back close games.

The tough season continued Wednesday when the Jazz were drubbed 147-111 by Minnesota even though the host Timberwolves were without star Anthony Edwards.

"There's some games where you lose and there's some games that are disappointing -- that one was disappointing," Utah coach Will Hardy said.

The setback also eliminated the Jazz from playoff contention. It is the fourth straight season in which they have missed the postseason.

Utah continues to play without injured stars Lauri Markkanen (right hip) and Keyonte George (right hamstring).

Ace Bailey (concussion) returned from a one-game absence to make five 3-pointers and score 17 points against the Timberwolves.

Brice Sensabaugh scored 41 points, two points shy of his career best. He is averaging 28.8 points over the past five games and has knocked down 21 of 42 (50%) 3-pointers during the span.

Still, Hardy didn't see much to be proud of against Minnesota. He said the effort needs to be much improved against the Bucks.

"We've got to just really focus right now on trying to find our energy," Hardy said. "And it's not just physical, like it doesn't manifest itself as just physical energy. We need to communicate. We need to be a little bit more engaged as a group. (Wednesday night), we just sort of felt flat from start to finish."

--Field Level Media