The Milwaukee Bucks, the third-seeded team in the Eastern Conference, are facing the possibility of starting the playoffs without their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Antetokounmpo’s calf strain has not healed sufficiently to allow him to play in the opening round. However, there is hope that he may be able to return later in the series against the Indiana Pacers.
Antetokounmpo sustained the calf injury during the Bucks’ game against the Boston Celtics on April 9. He left the game in the third quarter after an awkward landing on his leg, unable to put much weight on it. The Bucks quickly ruled him out for the rest of the regular season games as he underwent rehabilitation.
Despite initial concerns about the severity of the injury, it was determined that Antetokounmpo was dealing with a calf strain. The Bucks needed to win their final three regular season games to secure the second seed, but they lost two of the three games and slipped to the third seed.
While Antetokounmpo has been receiving treatment around the clock for his calf strain, he may still miss the beginning of the playoff series against the Pacers. The Bucks will have to step up in his absence as they face off against the Pacers in Game 1 on Saturday.