The Bucks were dismantling the first-place Celtics on Tuesday night when they saw their season flash before their eyes.
All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee’s 104-91 win over Boston. The Bucks are still fighting for seeding in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and any absence for Antetokounmpo would be devastating for their end-of-season push.
The MVP candidate has been as dominant as ever this season, averaging 30.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
What is Antetokounmpo’s injury and how serious is it? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
MORE: TSN’s Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury?
Antetokounmpo collapsed to the floor with a non-contact injury in the Bucks’ win over the Celtics. He inbounded the ball and tried to jog his way up the court before falling to the ground, holding his left leg.
Giannis Antetokounmpo limped to the Bucks locker room after suffering a non-contact injury to his calf.
Hope it’s nothing serious 🙏pic.twitter.com/CDiJod7kbY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 10, 2024
Antetokounmpo attempted to get up under his own power but could not. He was immediately helped to the sidelines by his teammates and hobbled to the locker room.
Antetokounmpo did not return to the game and was diagnosed with a left calf strain by the Bucks.
How long will Giannis Antetokounmpo be out?
Antetokounmpo will miss the final three games of the regular season, the Bucks announced Wednesday.
“[Antetokounmpo] will miss the remaining three games of the regular season and receive daily treatment and evaluation,” the team said.
Antetokounmpo left the arena immediately after Tuesday’s game to get an MRI on his calf, head coach Doc Rivers said.
On Wednesday morning, it was reported that after an MRI, it was determined that the Bucks star’s left Achilles tendon is “fully intact” and “his return to play will come with how quickly his left calf strain heals”, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
After an MRI, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s left Achilles tendon is fully intact and his return to play will come with how quickly his left calf strain heals, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2024
When asked about his level of concern for the star forward, Rivers didn’t sugarcoat his answer.
“That’s a good question. High. But he’s Giannis. I think everyone probably feels the same way as I do right now. We’re just going hope for the best,” Rivers said, according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier.
The average time of recovery for Antetokounmpo’s specific injury (a soleus strain) is approximately 17 days (or six games), according to Jeff Stotts, a certified athletic trainer.
With the playoffs just over one week away, Antetokounmpo’s window to recover and be ready for Game 1 is slim.
He has missed just six games this season. The Bucks own a 3-3 record in those games.
MORE: Breaking down the Bucks’ remaining schedule, seeding scenarios
Bucks remaining schedule 2024
The Bucks have just three games remaining in the regular season, and they are still in a race to keep the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference
Two of the Bucks’ remaining games are against the Magic. Orlando sits two games back from Milwaukee for second place.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| April 10 | vs. Magic | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 12 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. | — |
| April 14 | at Magic | 1 p.m. | — |
