UPDATE: Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to miss 4-6 weeks due to a right calf injury sustained during Friday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets. The injury forced him to leave the court, significantly impacting the Bucks’ season as they struggle for a playoff spot.
Just hours after the 102-100 loss, Antetokounmpo shared that he expects to undergo an MRI on Saturday for further evaluation. “I popped something in my calf on my soleus or something,” he revealed post-game, indicating the seriousness of the injury.
The injury appeared to occur in the first quarter, yet Antetokounmpo returned wearing a wrap on his calf, playing through the pain for 32 minutes. He finished the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, but his performance was hindered as he struggled to move effectively. “For me to stop playing and not be able to move? It was extremely painful,” he said, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.
“I was feeling it the majority of the game but did not want to stop playing,” Antetokounmpo added.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed concern, noting he suspected something was wrong as Antetokounmpo favored his leg during the game. “I didn’t like what my eyes were seeing,” Rivers stated. “Giannis was defiant about staying in.”
This injury marks a troubling continuation of calf issues for Antetokounmpo, who missed three weeks earlier this season for a similar injury. Rivers noted, “This calf keeps coming up and it’s concerning,” emphasizing the impact of repeated injuries on the team.
The Bucks currently sit at 18-26, in 11th place in the standings, trailing the Atlanta Hawks by 2.5 games for the final playoff seed. The team has struggled without Antetokounmpo, showing a 3-11 record in his absence this season.
Antetokounmpo remains hopeful, stating, “I’m going to work my butt off to come back. Hopefully the team will be in a place that we can at least make the play-in or the playoffs.” His return timeline suggests he may be back by late February or early March, but the Bucks must navigate a challenging stretch without their star.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, as the loss of Antetokounmpo could determine the Bucks’ playoff aspirations this season. With the stakes high, the team’s resilience will be put to the test in the coming weeks.
