As if things weren’t already looking messy for the Milwaukee Bucks, it just got even worse.
Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Tuesday that the Bucks are preparing for their first round series against the Indiana Pacers without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo after he suffered a left calf strain just a week ago.
Milwaukee Bucks to Start Series Against Indiana Pacers Without Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo has been undergoing around-the-clock treatment for his injury, and is hopeful to return later in the series. The three-seed Bucks will go head-to-head with the six-seed Indiana Pacers on Sunday in Milwaukee. In the regular season, the Pacers won four of the five games against the Bucks.
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. pic.twitter.com/8p0wCiRSRl
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2024
The two-time MVP missed the last three regular-season games after he collapsed to the floor with a noncontact injury against the Boston Celtics. Thankfully it wasn’t an Achilles injury or anything more serious, and with Giannis being some super-human when it comes to miraculous recoveries, he’ll be back in no time (fingers crossed).
He ended his regular season averaging 30.4 PPG on a career-best 61% shooting with 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists. Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history to average 30 points per game on 60% shooting, according to ESPN research and stats.
How Playoffs Look Without Giannis
The Milwaukee Bucks went 4-5 in the nine games that Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play in this season, none of them being against the Indiana Pacers. Whenever the Bucks have matched up with the Pacers, Antetokounmpo has impacted the team in a huge way. Since April of 2022, he has averaged 39.4 pointts, 12.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in eight games against the Pacers, per statmuse. Many recall when Giannis dropped 64 points on the Pacers back in December of 2024.
Not only are the Bucks without Giannis for game 1, but factor in the fact that they have a 17-19 record since the hiring of Doc Rivers. Fans aren’t too optimistic about their playoffs odds, seeing as Rivers tends to have bad luck when it comes to first and second round exits.
In a best-of-seven, the Bucks are going to have to rely on players like Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, and Damian Lillard to carry the load that Giannis Antetokounmpo normally would have on his shoulders in the game.
Hopeful for Milwaukee Bucks Star
While Bucks fans want to see Giannis in the playoffs, his health comes first. Seeing as he had to miss the last three regular-season games and is now missing Game 1? It’s a little concerning, but as mentioned before, it’s not a serious injury like the Achilles, and Giannis has always bounced back from injuries fairly quick. Even his teammates say he’s like Superman, and if there’s anyone that can battle through an injury like this? It’s Giannis.
When Giannis suffered an injury in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, many were skeptical, and unsure if the all-star was going to be able to continue. However, teammates were surprised when the MVP bounced back from a hyperextended knee just after one week.
If that superhuman form of Giannis could be in full swing for Sunday’s game and further, the Bucks should be in good shape for their series against the Indiana Pacers.
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