Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to miss between four to six weeks due to a right calf injury sustained during a recent game against the Denver Nuggets. The injury forced him to exit the contest, which ended in a narrow 102-100 loss for the Bucks on February 2, 2024. Antetokounmpo plans to undergo an MRI for further evaluation of the injury, which significantly affected his performance throughout the match.
Antetokounmpo reported that the calf issue felt reminiscent of a previous injury that sidelined him earlier this season. “After the MRI, they will tell me, probably, I popped something in my calf on my soleus or something,” he stated following the game. This injury is particularly troubling for both the player and the team, given his history with calf problems.
The injury appeared to occur during the first quarter, leading Antetokounmpo to briefly return to the locker room. He played through the pain, wrapping his right calf, but ultimately could no longer continue. “I was feeling it for the majority of the game but did not want to stop playing,” he explained. “But at the end, I could not move no more, so I had to stop.”
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers noticed that Antetokounmpo seemed to be favoring his leg during the second half. “I asked our [medical] team five different times,” Rivers said. “I didn’t like what my eyes were seeing, personally. Giannis was defiant about staying in.”
This marks yet another chapter in Antetokounmpo’s ongoing battle with calf injuries. He missed three weeks in December due to a right soleus strain, the same condition that kept him out of the 2024 playoffs. Rivers expressed concern about the recurring nature of these injuries, stating, “This calf keeps coming up and it’s concerning. I’m not a doctor, but I’m smart enough to know that his calf keeps bothering him and there’s something that is there.”
Despite the injury, Antetokounmpo managed to contribute significantly during the game, recording 22 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in just over 32 minutes of play. Milwaukee was able to mount a late rally, cutting a 23-point deficit down to two points, although they ultimately fell short.
“For me to stop playing and not be able to move? It was extremely painful,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was just trying to be out there, do whatever I could, try to affect the game in any way I could.” His determination to play through adversity reflects not only his commitment to the team but also the challenges that come with high-level athletics.
The Bucks’ struggles continue as they have lost five of their last six games, currently sitting at 18-26 and in 11th place in the standings. The team trails the Atlanta Hawks by 2.5 games for the final play-in spot. Notably, Milwaukee has a poor record of 3-11 this season when Antetokounmpo is out of the lineup.
Looking ahead, Antetokounmpo expressed his commitment to recovery, stating, “I’m going to work my butt off to come back. That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March.” He hopes the team will remain competitive during his absence, aiming for a return that could help them secure a spot in the playoffs. “It’s all about taking it day by day, trying to get better,” he concluded.
