The Milwaukee Bucks are amid what might be their most tumultuous offseason of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. A shocking loss in the first round of the NBA Playoffs to the Miami Heat left a franchise that had won an NBA title just two seasons prior desperately searching for answers. After hiring a new head coach and signing two starters to new contracts, Milwaukee appeared to have checked off all the major news items for this offseason. That was until Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Giannis underwent surgery two weeks ago.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee two weeks ago and is uncertain for Greece’s FIBA World Cup play this summer, sources confirm.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2023
Milwaukee Bucks Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo Undergoes Knee Surgery
Charania said the perennial MVP candidate “underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee.” The injury will likely prevent Giannis from appearing for the Greek national team in the FIBA World Cup.
The report did not specify which knee Antetokounmpo had the procedure on. During Milwaukee’s eventual NBA Championship run, Giannis hyperextended his left knee during the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Since suffering the injury, he has sat out several games throughout the past two seasons – citing left and right knee soreness.
Antetokounmpo is not the only Buck to have knee surgery this summer. Khris Middleton also underwent a procedure to have cleanup work done on his right knee. He expects to resume training activities this month.
Bucks Head Coach Adrian Griffin Comments on Giannis Antetokounmpo Knee Surgery
Adrian Griffin was hired by Milwaukee this offseason to replace former head coach Mike Budenholzer. As two of his all-stars recover from off-season knee surgery, he will enter his first season as an NBA head coach.
When asked by Lily Zhao about Antetokounmpo’s procedure, Griffin said it “went great.” He expects Giannis to be ready for training camp (which will likely begin in late September).
#Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said Giannis Antetokounmpo’s left knee surgery “went great”.
Griffin expects Giannis back and ready to go during training camp. https://t.co/2BioHLgDtS
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) July 5, 2023
Although any NBA assistant coach would aspire for any head coach position – especially with a two-time MVP on the roster – Griffin finds himself in a more complicated situation than what appears at face value. After multiple seasons of nagging injuries for Middleton and Antetokounmpo, the first-time head coach will have to balance rest and health for his star players in the regular season and the ultimate goal of winning an NBA title.
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