Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Won't play in World Cup
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Antetokounmpo (knee) announced Friday via his personal Twitter feed that he won't play for Greece's national team during the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
Antetokounmpo underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee in late June, which made his status for the World Cup uncertain. The 28-year-old consulted with the Bucks' medical staff and determined that he'll need additional time to recover ahead of the NBA season, so he'll be unable to suit up for Greece. Antetokounmpo will now shift his focus toward returning to action for training camp this fall. While there's been no indication the two-time MVP is in danger of missing the start of the 2023-24 regular season, it remains unclear when he'll be back to 100 percent.
Antetokounmpo underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee in late June and is uncertain for FIBA World Cup play in August, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo missed time late in the regular season due to a sore right knee, and he's spending a few weeks during the offseason in recovery mode following his procedure. If he's able to play in the FIBA World Cup late in August, he'll presumably be ready for the start of training camp with the Bucks, but his status will become murkier if he's unable to play for Greece late next month.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: High output not enough
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Antetokounmpo notched 38 points (14-27 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 10-23 FT), 20 rebounds and three assists across 42 minutes during Wednesday's 128-126 overtime loss to Miami in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Antetokounmpo gave it all in Game 4 and Game 5, but his efforts were insufficient, and the Bucks suffered a shocking first-round exit. The MVP candidate logged only 11 minutes in Game 1 before suffering a bruised back, but he posted a triple-double in Game 4 and was outstanding in Game 5 aside from terrible free-throw shooting. It's fair to wonder what would've happened if he had been healthy throughout the entire series.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Suiting up for Game 5
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Antetokounmpo (back) is available for Game 5 versus Miami on Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo has been upgraded from probable to available Wednesday despite a lower back contusion. The two-time MVP missed Games 2 and 3 before posting 26 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 38 minutes in Game 4. Antetokounmpo should operate without any restrictions in a must-win game for Milwaukee.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Expected to play Wednesday
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Antetokounmpo is probable for Game 5 against the Heat on Wednesday with a lower back contusion.
Antetokounmpo returned to action in Game 4 after missing the previous two contests due to a lower back injury he suffered early in Game 1. Despite showing signs of discomfort, the superstar forward still played 38 minutes and shouldn't have any restrictions if he's upgraded to available Wednesday.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Triple-double in return
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Antetokounmpo registered 26 points (12-22 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, 13 assists, two blocks and one steal over 38 minutes during Monday's 119-114 loss to the Heat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Antetokounmpo returned to action Monday, ending with his third career playoff triple-double. However, he couldn't get the Bucks over the line, as the team gave up a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. While he did look relatively untroubled, Antetokounmpo was seen wincing at times, while also ensuring he remained active even when on the bench. Back issues tend to linger, so while he is likely to play in a must-win game Wednesday, he may not be at 100 percent.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Set to play in Game 4
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Antetokounmpo (back) will return to the Bucks' starting lineup for Monday's Game 4 matchup with Miami, barring any setbacks ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET opening tip, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo missed Games 2 and 3 due to a lower-back contusion he suffered in the Bucks' Game 1 loss. After the Bucks rolled to a dominating win in Game 2 without the superstar forward, they fell flat in Game 3 and currently trail in the series, 2-1. Antetokounmpo has played only one complete game against Miami this season, and he finished that Feb. 4 win with 35 points (13-19 FG), 15 rebounds and 11 assists in 36 minutes.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Listed questionable for Game 4
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Antetokounmpo (back) is listed as questionable for Monday's Game 4 against the Heat.
The designation doesn't come as a surprise after Antetokounmpo missed Game 3 on Saturday -- his second straight absence after falling hard on his lower-back during Game 1 of the series. Per Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Antetokounmpo did some individual work at Sunday's practice, but the team has remained fairly tight-lipped regarding his overall progress. As of Sunday evening, the two-time MVP's status remains in limbo, but with Milwaukee down 2-1 in the series, there may be more motivation for Antetokounmpo to push through any lingering discomfort.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ruled out Saturday
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Antetokounmpo (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
This is a major blow for the Bucks, as their star player is set to miss a second straight contest due to this back issue. This isn't overly surprising, as Antetokounmpo was able to do some individual work before Friday's practice, but he wasn't cleared for contact. It remains to be seen if he will be cleared for Game 4 on Monday, but in the meantime, Bobby Portis should see more minutes with Antetokounmpo out.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Listed as questionable
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Antetokounmpo (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Antetokounmpo was upgraded from doubtful to questionable ahead of Game 2, but he ultimately didn't play due to a back bruise he suffered in Game 1. The former MVP was able to do some individual work before Friday's practice, but he wasn't cleared for contact. His status will likely come down to a game-time decision, so check back in ahead of Saturday's 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Does individual work Friday
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Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo (back) was able to do some individual work before Friday's practice, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo was upgraded from doubtful to questionable ahead of Game 2, but he ultimately sat out due to a bruised back he suffered in Game 1. The former MVP isn't cleared for full-contact practice yet, and his status for Saturday's Game 3 remains to be determined. Milwaukee should release its official injury report sometime Friday afternoon.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Sitting for Game 2
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Antetokounmpo (back) will not play in Wednesday's game against the Heat, Justin Garcia of the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network reports.
There was hope Antetokounmpo would suit up Wednesday after being a mid-day upgrade from doubtful to questionable with a bruised lower back, but he will end up missing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round. The Bucks will likely to turn to Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder and Joe Ingles to pick up Antetkounmpo's vacated minutes, while Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday should take larger offensive roles. Antetokounmpo's next chance to play will come Saturday in Miami.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Upgraded to questionable
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Antetokounmpo (back) has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Heat.
Antetokounmpo was initially deemed doubtful due to the lower back contusion he sustained Sunday during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round, but he now has a better chance of suiting up for Game 2. However, he was unable to practice Tuesday, and the Bucks may choose to sit Antetokounmpo for Wednesday's home matchup to preserve his health for subsequent postseason games. The 28-year-old will presumably be monitored in the hours leading up to tipoff before the Bucks officially determine his status.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Likely out for Game 2
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Antetokounmpo (back) is doubtful for Game 2 versus the Heat on Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo seems likely to miss Wednesday's game due to a lower back contusion he suffered on a hard fall in Game 1. Jae Crowder, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Joe Ingles are all candidates to absorb some minutes if Antetokounmpo is ultimately ruled out.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Doesn't practice Tuesday
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Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo (back) was unable to practice Tuesday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo left Sunday's Game 1 loss to Miami after landing hard on his back while attempting a layup. After briefly returning, he was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest. An MRI and X-rays came back negative, and Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that there's optimism about the former MVP's chances of returning to action soon, but Antetokounmpo's lack of participation in Tuesday's practice is alarming. Milwaukee's official injury report should be released sometime Tuesday afternoon, which should shed more light on Antetokounmpo's availability for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the Heat.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: X-rays negative
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Antetokounmpo (back) underwent X-rays that came back negative Sunday, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo exited Sunday's loss to the Heat two separate times after taking a hard fall and landing on his tailbone area during the first quarter. The fact that X-rays returned negative is a sigh of relief for Milwaukee, but Antetokounmpo's status for Game 2 could be in jeopardy. He'll have a few days to rest before Wednesday night, but he'll be monitored in the coming days before the Bucks determine his availability.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Won't return to Sunday's game
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Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Heat due to a lower back contusion, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo went down late in the first quarter Sunday and headed to the locker room shortly after. While he returned to the game early in the second quarter, he went back to the locker room a few minutes later and was ruled out for the game just before halftime. It's unclear whether the injury will impact his availability for the remainder of the Eastern Conference First Round, but Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis should see increased run to close out Sunday's matchup.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Full go at practice Tuesday
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Head coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo (knee) "did everything" during Tuesday's practice, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo missed the final three games of the regular season with right knee soreness, but as expected, he'll be good to go for the playoffs. Across 63 regular-season appearances, the MVP candidate averaged a career-high 31.1 points with 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 32.1 minutes per game.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Sitting out Sunday
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Antetokounmpo (knee) will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Raptors.
Antetokounmpo joins a host of Bucks who will take a seat and rest up with the playoffs right around the corner. Look for the team's depth players to take on larger roles in the contest, while Giannis and the rest of the starting unit will aim to return for their first-round matchup.
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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Surprise absence against Chicago
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Antetokounmpo (knee) is out for Wednesday's game versus the Bulls, Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network reports.
Despite being listed as probable earlier, Antetokounmpo has been downgraded to out due to right knee soreness. With the Bucks practically having the one-seed in the Eastern Conference locked up, it wouldn't be surprising for the superstar forward to sit out Milwaukee's remaining games. Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis will likely receive increased roles in his absence.
