MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking forward to teaming up with his new colleagues on the Milwaukee Bucks, but he is uncertain about when he will return to the court.
Antetokounmpo participated in practice on Wednesday after sitting out the last six games before the All-Star break due to a strained left calf. However, neither he nor coach Doc Rivers confirmed whether he would be ready to play when the Bucks face the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
The Bucks provided an injury update on Wednesday afternoon, listing both Antetokounmpo and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, who is dealing with a strained right hamstring, as questionable for the upcoming game.
“I’m feeling fine,” Antetokounmpo stated. “Am I at 100%? I can’t say for sure. We’ll have to wait and see. I was able to participate in practice, and it felt good. Tomorrow will tell if I’m fully recovered.”
His last appearance in a game was on February 2, and he has yet to share the court with the team’s recent acquisitions, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Jericho Sims, who joined just ahead of the trade deadline. The Bucks are being cautious with Antetokounmpo, especially since a previous calf injury prevented him from playing in their first-round playoff exit against the Indiana Pacers last season.
“I experienced similar sensations and pain from before I got injured last year,” he added.
Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 season was cut short when he sustained an injury during a 104-91 win against the Boston Celtics in his 79th regular-season game. He noted that discomfort in his calf began to arise before that match, leading him to choose a more prudent strategy this time around.
“I noticed it several days, perhaps a week or two beforehand, and I attempted to adjust my play. You think you can manage it, saying it’s just tight or stiff, and you try to play through it. But ultimately, I wasn’t able to, and it led to injury,” he explained. “I have the same sensation this time, but I’m being more careful. I don’t want to find myself in a similar situation again, so my team and I agreed it was best to take a few games off to recover properly. You don’t want to play while fearing for your health.”
Currently, the Bucks hold a record of 29-24, putting them fifth in the Eastern Conference. A fully healthy Antetokounmpo is crucial for any real prospects of a deep postseason campaign, especially after the team has faced two consecutive first-round exits. He currently ranks second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game, and fifth in rebounding with 12.2 rebounds per game.
The dynamic of the Bucks with Antetokounmpo re-entering the lineup alongside the recently revamped roster remains an open question.
In recent trades, the team brought in Kuzma in exchange for three-time All-Star Khris Middleton and a first-round pick in 2024, while Porter came over from the Clippers for MarJon Beauchamp, and Sims was acquired from the Knicks for Delon Wright.
Antetokounmpo stated that these new acquisitions have made the Bucks less predictable and facilitated a quicker style of play.
“The team looks fantastic right now,” he declared. “We’re playing at an incredibly quick pace. Everyone is competing, and I believe our defense is going to be significantly better. We have size, and I’m genuinely excited.”
The absence of Middleton, who has been a long-time teammate of Antetokounmpo, is a significant shift. They both rank first and second in franchise history for games and minutes played, and together they led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in five decades during the 2020-21 season.
Seeing the tributes to Middleton on social media following the trade moved Antetokounmpo. He had shared a post himself calling Middleton “my GOAT” and included memories of their championship celebrations in 2021.
“It was definitely tough,” Antetokounmpo admitted. “However, as I’ve stated from the beginning, I’ll continue to fulfill my responsibilities. We are evaluated daily, and I intend to come in and perform my duties. We are well compensated for playing basketball, so I will focus on enjoying the game and contributing to the team’s success. I sincerely wish Khris all the best; it’s bigger than just basketball.”
The Bucks will face the Wizards in Washington on Friday, where Antetokounmpo will reunite with his former teammate.
“I won’t be shaking his hand, chatting with him, or even looking at him. Anytime I see him, I plan to guard him full-court, pick him up right away, and deny him the ball,” Antetokounmpo joked. “And I might just make a three-pointer in his face and shout, ‘Khash!’ Just kidding.”
