Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to miss at least four to six weeks due to a right calf injury sustained during a closely contested game against the Denver Nuggets. The injury forced Antetokounmpo to exit the match, which the Bucks lost 102-100, after struggling to perform effectively throughout the night.
After the game, Antetokounmpo revealed he will undergo an MRI on Saturday to assess the full extent of the injury. He indicated that the issue feels reminiscent of a previous calf injury that had already sidelined him earlier this season. “After the MRI, they will tell me, probably, I popped something in my calf on my soleus or something,” he stated, drawing from his experience in the league.
Injury Timeline and Recovery
The injury reportedly occurred during the first quarter, prompting Antetokounmpo to briefly leave the court for evaluation. He returned with a wrap around his right calf but continued to play despite the discomfort. “I was feeling it for the majority of the game but did not want to stop playing,” he explained. “But at the end, I could not move anymore, so I had to stop.”
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers noted that he suspected Antetokounmpo was favoring his leg for much of the second half. “I asked our [medical] team five different times. I didn’t like what my eyes were seeing, personally. Giannis was defiant about staying in,” Rivers said. This defiance highlights Antetokounmpo’s commitment to his team, even as the injury hampered his performance.
In the game, Antetokounmpo logged 32 minutes and contributed 22 points, shooting 4-of-8, along with 13 rebounds and seven assists. Despite a significant deficit, the Bucks nearly executed a comeback from a 23-point deficit. However, the effort fell short as Antetokounmpo’s injury became increasingly evident.
Impact on the Team
The potential absence of Antetokounmpo presents a considerable challenge for the Bucks, who have struggled recently, losing five of their last six games. Currently, they hold an 18-26 record and sit in 11th place in the league standings, trailing the Atlanta Hawks by 2.5 games for the final playoff spot.
This season has already proven difficult for the Bucks when playing without their star player; they have only won three of 14 games in his absence. “I’m going to work my butt off to come back,” Antetokounmpo affirmed. “That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team will be in a place that we can at least make the play-in or the playoffs and just take it day by day, trying to get better.”
As the Bucks navigate a challenging period, the team and fans alike will be watching closely to see how Antetokounmpo’s recovery unfolds over the coming weeks.