At this point, the Milwaukee Bucks have no other choice but to prepare for the possibility of not having Giannis Antetokounmpo available for their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers — or at least for Game 1 on Sunday.
The Bucks talisman has been nursing a troubling calf injury that forced him to miss Milwaukee’s last three games of the regular season, and has now cast a lot of doubt not only on his availability for Sunday’s series opener but more importantly, on his overall health for the postseason ahead.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Bobby Portis Speaks Out on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Injury
In a recent interview with Shams Charania of Stadium, Portis explained why he remains confident that Antetokounmpo will be ready to go come playoff time. According to Portis, if there’s anyone who can battle through a problematic calf injury, it would be Giannis.
“He’s like Superman,” Portis said. “… (There’s) no telling how he’s gonna feel in 10 days.”
Portis’ interview was held last week, which explains the extended timetable. As of writing, Antetokounmpo just has five days to get himself ready for Game 1 in Milwaukee.
History Is in Giannis’ Side
Portis has seen this movie before. The 29-year-old looked back on Milwaukee’s historic title run in 2021, particularly when Giannis suffered an injury in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Without their talisman, the Bucks powered through against Trae Young and Co. to set up a Finals showdown against the Phoenix Suns. Portis revealed his surprise when he saw Antetokounmpo back to his old self just one week after sustaining a hyperextended knee:
“So we go on to win (Games) 5 and 6 against the Hawks, and then we go to the Finals,” Portis recalled. “First day in practice, he was running and jumping. It’s like seven days later from hyperextending his knee.
“I know that he really wants to play bad. I know he’s going to do everything and get treatment around the clock to make that happen.”
Bucks’ Bobby Portis on @Stadium: “When I got hints of it, I’m like, ain’t no way I’m getting traded for…excuse my French, that’s my guy, I love competing against him…but I shouldn’t get traded for Grant Williams. That don’t even sound right.”
On Sixth Man, cult status, more: pic.twitter.com/ixfrYiYm4c
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2024
It’s this resilience and superhuman strength Giannis will need as he hopes to get back in the mix for Sunday’s game.
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