Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star expected to miss start of series vs. Pacers with calf strain

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The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be without star Giannis Antetokounmpo as they open their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, per ESPN. It was reported earlier that he was doubtful for Game 1, according to Shams Charania, but it sounds as though he may actually miss some more time with a calf strain. Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks’ final three regular-season games after getting injured on April 9. 

The injury occurred late in the third quarter of the Bucks’ win over the Boston Celtics on April 9. Antetokounmpo inbounded the ball to Damian Lillard and began jogging down the court when he suddenly collapsed and grabbed for his lower left leg. He was helped back to the locker room, and an MRI subsequently revealed that he had strained his calf but avoided Achilles tendon damage. 

The Bucks announced he would not play in the remainder of the regular season but did not offer a timeline beyond that. Likewise, coach Doc Rivers was unwilling or unable to provide any clarity on when the two-time MVP would be back on the court. He did, however, say that the results of the MRI offered “some relief” around the organization. 

“No timeline or anything like that,” Rivers said prior to the team’s game against the Orlando Magic on April 10. “There’s no one who’s gonna work harder than him, you know that, so he’ll be back when he should be back. We’ll find out when that is. I’m hoping [he’ll be back for Game 1 of the playoffs]. I don’t know. I’m just hoping.”

Since Antetokounmpo won his first MVP award in 2018-19, the Bucks are 39-40 without him in the lineup, including the playoffs. Milwaukee went 4-5 this season with Antetokounmpo sidelined.

Prior to the incident versus the Celtics, Antetokounmpo had missed only six games all season. He had been battling nagging injuries for months, however, including Achilles tendnitis and hamstring tendinopathy — both in his left leg. “Calves, hamstrings, they’re shaky,” Antetokounmpo said after a win over the Sixers on March 14. “If you have a strain or whatever the case may be……

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/giannis-antetokounmpo-injury-update-bucks-star-expected-to-miss-start-of-series-vs-pacers-with-calf-strain/

Author : Jack Maloney

Publish date : 2024-04-16 15:14:44

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