The Milwaukee Bucks locked up the #3 Seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and will take on the Indiana Pacers in round one. The Bucks and Pacers have developed somewhat of a tense rivalry as of late so this series is expected to be a must-watch.
Giannis Antetokkounmpo, the heart beat of the Bucks’ team, is currently dealing with an injury to his calf. Now the Bucks have announced his availability for the start of the series against the Pacers.
The Milwaukee Bucks Announce Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Availability For Start Of Series Vs The Indiana Pacers
According to Adrian Wojnarowski:
ESPN Sources: The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing to be without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for the start of their opening round series against the Indiana Pacers, but are hopeful treatment on his left calf strain will allow him to return sometime later in the series.
A few minutes into the third quarter of Milwaukee Bucks’ win over Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo was inbounding the ball when suddenly collapsed and grabbed for his lower left leg. A MRI revealed that he strain his calf but did not damage his Achilles tendon after he was helped back to the locker room.
In an announcement, the Bucks said he would not play the rest of the regular season. They also did not give a timeline beyond that regarding his return. Additionally, head coach Doc Rivers refused or was unable to provide any clarity on when the two-time MVP would return. However, he did say that the MRI results had provided “some relief” within the organization.
The Bucks Will Have To Play Together Without Giannis
The Bucks went 4-5 this season without Giannis on the floor. These are the nine game the Bucks played without Giannis:
| TEAM | DATE | REC | SEASON | TM | OPP | RESULT | W% | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | PF | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Milwaukee Bucks | 11/15/2023 | 1-0 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
@ |
 TOR |
W
128-112
|
1.000 | 240 | 128 | 41 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 44 | 85 | 51.8 | 20 | 39 | 51.3 | 20 | 21 | 95.2 | 25 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 1/17/2024 | 0-1 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
@ |
 CLE |
L
95-135
|
.000 | 240 | 95 | 36 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 38 | 95 | 40.0 | 12 | 42 | 28.6 | 7 | 10 | 70.0 | 18 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 3/4/2024 | 1-0 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
vs |
 LAC |
W
113-106
|
1.000 | 240 | 113 | 46 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 37 | 78 | 47.4 | 15 | 38 | 39.5 | 24 | 28 | 85.7 | 20 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 3/17/2024 | 1-0 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
vs |
 PHX |
W
140-129
|
1.000 | 240 | 140 | 35 | 35 | 11 | 2 | 10 | 51 | 94 | 54.3 | 24 | 41 | 58.5 | 14 | 14 | 100.0 | 12 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 3/20/2024 | 0-1 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
@ |
 BOS |
L
119-122
|
.000 | 240 | 119 | 41 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 45 | 84 | 53.6 | 17 | 35 | 48.6 | 12 | 14 | 85.7 | 25 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 4/5/2024 | 0-1 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
vs |
TOR |
L
111-117
|
.000 | 240 | 111 | 45 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 94 | 43.6 | 12 | 42 | 28.6 | 17 | 21 | 81.0 | 24 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 4/10/2024 | 1-0 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
vs |
 ORL |
W
117-99
|
1.000 | 240 | 117 | 43 | 27 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 43 | 84 | 51.2 | 15 | 40 | 37.5 | 16 | 20 | 80.0 | 20 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 4/12/2024 | 0-1 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
@ |
 OKC |
L
107-125
|
.000 | 240 | 107 | 42 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 42 | 85 | 49.4 | 11 | 30 | 36.7 | 12 | 13 | 92.3 | 15 |
|
Milwaukee Bucks | 4/14/2024 | 0-1 | 2023-24 |
MIL |
@ |
ORL |
L
88-113
|
.000 | 240 | 88 | 34 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 30 | 75 | 40.0 | 7 | 27 | 25.9 | 21 | 23 |
The Bucks went 1-4 against the Pacers this year with their last matchup coming on January 3rd, 2024. Without Giannis on the floor, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton will need to step up and keep the series going long enough for Giannis to return.
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