The Bucks are off to a blazing hot start. They are the only undefeated team left in the NBA at 8-0. Tonight they go for 9-0 but they will have to do it without their best player. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out tonight versus the Thunder.
Giannis Out Tonight Versus Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo is OUT tonight, per Mike Budenholzer.
He was listed as questionable with left knee soreness and did not go through warmups at his normal pregame time.
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 5, 2022
Giannis was already on the injury report with a left knee injury. When the time came for warmups, Giannis did not participate. Coach Mike Budenholzer then ruled him out for the game tonight. His presence will be missed on the court. He is averaging just shy of 33 points per game while adding in 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Khris Middleton is still not back from his injury so the Bucks will be playing without two of their best players tonight. The Thunder are a mediocre team but a player of Giannis’ magnitude being out will affect how they play.
A Cautious Move By The Bucks
Hearing that Giannis is out is never something Bucks fans want to hear. However, this feels like a precautionary measure. This is the second game of a back-to-back against a bottom feeder team in the NBA. If the Bucks lose this game, their season isn’t ruined. 8-1 would still be a great start. What would not be good is pushing Giannis to play now to keep a undefeated streak alive and doing long term damage to his knee. The NBA season is long. The Bucks have proven that they are capable of making a deep playoff run. That all hinges on Giannis being healthy.
The biggest disappointment of Giannis being out tonight versus the Thunder is that we don’t get to watch him play. Watching Giannis dominate on the court is entertaining and not seeing the best player in the world in a game is disappointing. Hopefully Jrue Holiday, another Buck off to a hot start, and the rest of the team can put together a great performance tonight in Giannis’ absence.
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