UPDATE: Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to miss 4-6 weeks due to a right calf injury sustained during Friday night’s narrow 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The injury, which has plagued Antetokounmpo in the past, raises serious concerns for the Bucks as they struggle to stay competitive this season.
Antetokounmpo revealed his prognosis shortly after the game, stating he will undergo an MRI on Saturday for further evaluation. “After the MRI, they will tell me, probably, I popped something in my calf on my soleus or something,” he noted. His injury limited him significantly throughout the match, with the star player returning to the floor despite being visibly affected.
“I was feeling it majority of the game but did not want to stop playing,”
Antetokounmpo said. He played for 32 minutes, tallying 22 points on 4-of-8 shooting, alongside 13 rebounds and 7 assists. However, as the game progressed, it became clear he was struggling, particularly in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers expressed concerns about Antetokounmpo’s condition, mentioning he noticed the player favoring his leg. “I asked our [medical] team five different times. I didn’t like what my eyes were seeing,” Rivers said. Antetokounmpo’s determination to stay in the game highlights his commitment, but it also raises alarms for a team already dealing with a disappointing 18-26 record.
The potential absence of Antetokounmpo is a major blow for Milwaukee, which has lost five of its last six games. Currently, they sit in 11th place in the standings, trailing the Atlanta Hawks by 2.5 games for the final play-in spot. The Bucks have struggled without their star, posting a dismal 3-11 record this season when he is not in the lineup.
Antetokounmpo’s injury history adds urgency to this situation. Earlier this season, he missed three weeks due to a right soleus strain, a similar issue that also sidelined him during the 2024 playoffs. “This calf keeps coming up and it’s concerning,” Rivers admitted, underlining the recurring nature of the injury.
As fans hold their breath for the MRI results, Antetokounmpo remains optimistic about his return. “I’m going to work my butt off to come back,” he stated. He hopes to be back on the court by the end of February or early March, aiming to help the team secure a spot in the playoffs. “Hopefully the team will be in a place that we can at least make the play-in or the playoffs,” he added.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Bucks and their star player face a critical juncture in their season.
