Without a doubt, Giannis Antetokounmpo is unstoppable whenever he is on the court playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. However, his injury history during the playoffs doesn’t look good for the franchise ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Antetokounmpo faced significant challenges during the Bucks’ playoff run, as he struggled with a left calf strain that limited his mobility. After sustaining the injury in an early April game, he was unable to contribute in the playoffs, which ended in a disappointing first-round exit for the team.
This marks the second consecutive year that the Bucks were eliminated early with Antetokounmpo hindered by injuries, raising concerns about his health and the team’s future. In response to his recent setbacks, he expressed the need for potential adjustments to his offseason training and playing style to enhance his durability.
Antetokounmpo’s injury, described as his first non-contact issue, was particularly frustrating for him, as he typically recovers quickly from injuries. The Bucks also faced challenges with other key players like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, who dealt with their own injuries during the playoffs.
Despite these difficulties, the Bucks’ leadership remains optimistic about the team’s core and their ability to contend in the future. Antetokounmpo emphasized the importance of staying healthy and the need for the star trio of himself, Lillard, and Middleton to be on the court together more consistently. Moving forward, he plans to focus on his recovery and preparation for the next season, hoping to avoid further injury setbacks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Playoff Injury History Does Not Bode Well for Milwaukee Bucks
For Milwaukee to come out on top of the league next season, Antetokounmpo must he healthy enough to lead the team. In an analysis done by Tyler Watts for Behind the Buck Pass, that scenario may be hard to achieve, especially in the playoffs.
“The Greek Freak has missed time in four of the last five playoff runs. He injured his ankle in Game 4 of the 2020 second-round series against the Heat and missed the decisive Game 5. The Bucks won the championship in 2021, but Giannis missed the final two games of the conference finals with a knee injury. He was healthy in 2022 before missing eight of Milwaukee’s 11 postseason games in the last two years.
Since 2020, Antetokounmpo has appeared in 45 of the Bucks’ 56 playoff games. Milwaukee is 5-6 in the 11 contests he missed, which is impressive. It does not speak to the games he played where he was significantly less than 100 percent but gutted his way through,” Watts wrote.
The Bucks faced a tumultuous 2023-24 season, highlighted by the firing of coach Adrian Griffin after a strong start. Despite acquiring Lillard, the team struggled and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. With a projected record of 52-30, the Bucks aim to contend for a top playoff spot in the competitive Eastern Conference.
That projection can only come true if Antetokounmpo can stay healthy, especially in the playoffs. If he succeeds, the Bucks can compete for another ring and end doubts on whether Milwaukee has what it takes to win the big one again.
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