Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Not close to full health
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) disclosed last Friday that he was "not close" to returning to the Bucks lineup before the team was eliminated from the playoffs May 2 in a 120-98 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the first-round series, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports. "I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes," Antetokounmpo said. "I wasn't even close at checking the boxes."
Though head coach Doc Rivers had suggested last week that Antetokounmpo was close to being available to play after missing the final three games of the regular season with a left soleus strain, Rivers' comments may have been an act of gamesmanship. Antetokounmpo ultimately missed all six playoff contests, and his absence likely would have extended into the Eastern Conference semifinal round if the Bucks had advanced, as the 29-year-old estimated that he was running at about 30 or 40 percent speed. He should be closer to full health by the end of May, but Antetokounmpo likely won't have a full offseason to rest up, as he had previously expressed a desire to play for the Greek national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Greece will have to first earn a spot in the Olympics through a qualification tournament that will take place in the first week of July, so confirmation on whether Antetokounmpo is healthy should come shortly before that time.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ruled out for Game 6
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers.
Antetokounmpo was doubtful for Thursday's matchup, but he went through pregame warmups and was considered a game-time decision. However, he never shed his doubtful tag and will be unavailable for a ninth consecutive game. If the Bucks win Game 6 and keep their season alive, Antetokounmpo could be in the mix to return to action. Despite Antetokounmpo's absence, Milwaukee will get a boost for Thursday's matchup since Damian Lillard (Achilles) has been cleared to play.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Considered game-time decision
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Antetokounmpo officially remains doubtful for Thursday's matchup, but reports ahead of tipoff have suggested that the forward is in the mix to return to the court. However, coach Doc Rivers said during his pregame press conference that Antetokounmpo is more doubtful than Damian Lillard (Achilles), who is also a game-time decision. Even though Antetokounmpo would give the Bucks a spark as they attempt to extend their season, it's possible his playing time is monitored if he's cleared to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Could return Thursday
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is working to try to make a return for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to do so, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Both Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Achilles) are attempting to return to action as the Bucks try to keep their season alive Thursday. However, while Lillard has been upgraded to questionable, Antetokounmpo remains doubtful for now. Antetokounmpo's potential return would give the Bucks a significant boost on the road in Game 6, but it's also possible he'd face some limitations after missing the last eight matchups.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Doubtful for Game 6
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Although the Bucks managed to keep their season alive Tuesday, they'll likely have to play without Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Achilles) once again as the series shifts back to Indiana on Thursday. Assuming he's unavailable for Game 6, it's unclear whether Antetokounmpo will be in the mix to return for a potential Game 7.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Ruled out for Game 5
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) will not play in Tuesday's Game 5 versus the Pacers, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
No surprise here, as Antetokounmpo was initially carrying a doubtful tag. Damian Lillard (Achilles) will also be held out Tuesday, leaving the Bucks in rough shape as they try to avoid elimination.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Officially doubtful
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers.
Antetokounmpo has yet to play this postseason due to a left calf strain he suffered against the Celtics on April 9. Coach Doc Rivers said ahead of Sunday's Game 4 loss that Antetokounmpo was cleared to run with no resistance and continues to do stationary shooting, but it seems the All-Star is still a few hurdles away from game action. Damian Lillard (Achilles) is also doubtful for Tuesday's potential elimination game, so Khris Middleton (ankle) and Brook Lopez may have to lead Milwaukee's offense again.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Status in doubt for Game 5
Rotowire
There is doubt that Antetokounmpo (calf) will be able to suit up for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Coach Doc Rivers provided an encouraging update regarding Antetokounmpo on Sunday morning, saying that there was a chance the forward plays in the first-round series after working out by shooting and running with no resistance, per Jamal Collier of ESPN.com. However, Antetokounmpo's status is very much in question for Tuesday's matchup as the Bucks return home and hope to avoid elimination.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Pacers.
As expected, Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Achilles) have both been downgraded from doubtful to out. Khris Middleton (ankle) remains probable. Bobby Portis should continue to start for Antetokounmpo and will need to play an even larger role on offense due to Lillard missing his first game of the postseason. Antetokounmpo has yet to progress to team drills, but his next chance to suit up will come during Game 5 on Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Doubtful for Game 4
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 against the Pacers.
Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since missing the final three games of the regular season. Head coach Doc Rivers hinted that Antetokounmpo is ramping up towards a return, but Rivers wasn't optimistic about the forward returning for Sunday's contest.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Officially ruled out
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers.
Antetokounmpo was doubtful on Milwaukee's initial injury report, and he'll officially miss a sixth consecutive game as the team attempts to regain a lead in the first-round series. His next chance to suit up will be in Game 4 on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Doubtful for Friday
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Friday's Game 3 against Indiana.
Antetokounmpo has been putting up shots in recent days but hadn't yet resumed running or cutting as of Wednesday. As a result, he'll likely be unavailable for a sixth consecutive game due to his calf issue. Assuming he's sidelined, his next chance to suit up will be in Sunday's Game 4.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Still not scrimmaging
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) has started doing stationary jump shooting but still isn't running or cutting as of Wednesday, Shams Charania reported on FanDuel's Run It Back.
Damian Lillard had another stellar first-half performance in Game 2 but couldn't keep the Bucks close in the second half as the Pacers evened the series. Antetokounmpo's status for Game 3 on Friday likely won't be known until Thursday afternoon, but Charania suggests Milwaukee should be preparing to play without Antetokounmpo again. The MVP candidate has missed five straight games dating back to the regular season and hasn't played since April 9. However, if Antetokounmpo gets the green light, it's safe to expect he'll handle as many minutes as necessary in an attempt to keep the Bucks' postseason hopes alive.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Puts up shots Tuesday
Rotowire
Coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday that Antetokounmpo (calf) was able to get on the floor to put up shots and is getting closer a return, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo has already been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2, marking his fifth straight absence due to a left calf strain. The Bucks were able to secure the victory in Game 1 over Indiana, which gives Antetokounmpo more time to return for Milwaukee's first-round series.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Officially ruled out
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 2 against the Pacers.
As expected, Antetokounmpo has been downgraded from doubtful to out while he continues to recover from a left soleus strain. Without their star player, the Bucks were able to win Game 1 behind a stellar first-half performance from Damian Lillard, affording Antetokounmpo some extra rest, but if Milwaukee drops Game 2 at home, there may be added pressure for the MVP candidate to return Friday, when the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Tagged as doubtful
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's Game 2 against Indiana.
Antetokounmpo's left Soleus strain appears on track to keep him sidelined for Game 2, although Milwaukee can breathe a huge sigh of relief after controlling Game 1 at home. Antetokounmpo suffering a calf-related setback would be a worst-case scenario for the Bucks, so proceeding with caution appears likely, but his status will still need to be monitored until he is officially ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Will not play Sunday
Rotowire
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on NBA Countdown that Antetokounmpo (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against Indiana.
Antetokounmpo had previously been listed as doubtful, so the 29-year-old being downgraded to unavailable is the expected outcome as he continues nursing a left calf strain. Antetokounmpo's situation is precarious because of the interconnected nature of the calf muscle and Achilles tendon, but his status moving forward could be partially dictated by how Milwaukee fares on a game-to-game basis. Game 2 is set for Tuesday night.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Listed doubtful for Game 1
Rotowire
Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful to play Sunday against the Pacers, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
This is not a surprise, as the chances of Antetokounmpo playing in the series opener Sunday are looking slimmer by the minute. This means Bobby Portis should be in line to play a prominent role again. If Antetokounmpo is ruled out, his next chance to suit up would come Tuesday. Antetokounmpo suffered the left calf strain versus the Celtics on April 9 and was given an optimistic recovery timeline of 1-to-2 weeks.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Doubtful to begin series
Rotowire
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Bucks are preparing to be without Antetokounmpo (calf) for the beginning of their series against the Pacers.
This is in line with previous reporting, as there doesn't appear to be much optimism about Antetokounmpo appearing in the first couple games of the series. Wojnarowski adds that the Bucks are hopeful Antetokounmpo can return later in the series with constant treatment, but this is a fluid situation.
... See More... See Less
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Could miss Game 1
Rotowire
The Bucks have "real doubt" that Antetokounmpo (calf) will be available Sunday for Game 1 of the team's first-round playoff series versus the Pacers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Antetokounmpo missed the final three games of the regular season with a strained left calf. At the time Antetokounmpo suffered the injury April 9, an optimistic recovery timeline of 1-to-2 weeks had been floated out, but the star forward looks like he could require additional recovery time beyond that. He'll continue to receive daily treatment over the upcoming week, and an official decision on his status for Game 1 may not be made until shortly before Sunday.
