The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly plan to be without star Giannis Antetokounmpo for the start of their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
Adrien Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the news, noting that the team “is hopeful that treatment of his left calf strain will allow him to return sometime later in the series.”
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Monday that there was “real doubt” about Antetokounmpo’s status for the start of Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against the Pacers, as he continues to recover from the calf injury he suffered on April 9 against the Boston Celtics. .
The Bucks initially feared the worst when the two-time MVP suffered a non-contact injury against Boston, but sources told Wojnarowski that Antetokounmpo’s left Achilles tendon was completely intact.
In 73 games this season, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting a career-best 61.1% from the field. field, thus once again placing himself in the MVP conversation. He helped Milwaukee to a 49-33 record, but the team had higher aspirations.
The Bucks fired first-year head coach Adrian Griffin midway through the season and replaced him with Doc Rivers. Despite an experienced coach leading the way, Milwaukee still struggles to find consistency. The team went 17-19 with Rivers at the helm.
With Antetokounmpo possibly missing time, the Bucks will have a slim chance of getting past the Pacers in a seven-game series. It will fall to Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to carry the offensive load in Antetokounmpo’s absence.