Giannis Antetokounmpo has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, his fourth absence due to a strained left calf. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar will remain sidelined longer than that.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined through the next week due to a mild calf strain and will miss the NBA All-Star Game next Sunday, sources tell ESPN. Antetokounmpo, out since Feb. 2, is expected to return to action shortly after All-Star break. pic.twitter.com/wl8Lu6yWNq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2025
This is not good news for a Bucks team that has lost 5 of 6 and is falling further behind the Eastern Conference 4-seed and its guarantee of a home playoff series.
Milwaukee Bucks Will Rely on Portis, Others To Fill Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Shoes
After today’s game against Philly, Milwaukee plays the new-look Warriors on Monday followed by a Wednesday trip to Minnesota. The All-Star break gives them 7 days off, hopefully enough time for Giannis to recover. Charania’s tweet does not clarify that he will be back immediately after.
Also disappointing for Bucks fans is the fact that they won’t get to see their star in the All-Star game. For a second straight season, Giannis led all players in fan votes.
The past two games he has missed, a win versus Charlotte and a loss to Atlanta, Bobby Portis has stepped up with two monster showings as the starting power forward. 23, 17 and 5 plus 26, 15 and 6. The team will have to hope he continues to ball out and that trade acquisition Kyle Kuzma can also fill the void of Antetokounmpo’s absence.
His first game in Milwaukee he scored 12 first-half points but shot 0-4 after that. He will have to do better for the Bucks to stay afloat.
Fans should also look for Damian Lillard aggression as the squad’s sole star. Friday versus the Atlanta, he scored 23 points, grabbed 9 boards and dished out 10 assists.
Who Will Replace Antetokounmpo in All-Star Festivities?
Giannis’ absence from the All-Star game opens the door to one of the East’s previously snubbed stars. Fans responded to Charania’s report with some suggestions:
y’all know what that means pic.twitter.com/VxIcQzF67G
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 9, 2025
Trae Young replacement otw
— csb (@itsCSB__) February 9, 2025
SUB IN LAMELO!!!! pic.twitter.com/Oa3zJBLijn
— BSOLZ (@BSOLZ_) February 9, 2025
Add Lamelo
— ً (@xJx17x) February 9, 2025
Sorry to hear. Josh Hart should take his place
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) February 9, 2025
Some fans met the news with doom and gloom. “Brother is officially injury prone,” decided one. “Bucks are done.”
“Uh oh. Calf issues kept him out of the playoffs last year,” another fan commented.
Others had some fun with it: “mans had a vacation plan that sounded much better than going to San Francisco.”
And: “Giannis is just looking to get out of the All Star Game Weekend. This is a great way to get a week off.”
The sooner he returns, the better. The Bucks have not looked good lately and missing the Greek Freak won’t help.
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