SUMMARY
- Giannis Antetokounmpo endured a leg injury during the Bucks vs Celtics game.
- While experts suspect a Achilles injury, the Bucks are hoping that it isn't more than a calf strain.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the only ray of hope for the Milwaukee Bucks this season. This team has experienced several changes over the last year and it has proven to be hard to cope with. From making major roster additions to swapping head coaches during the most crucial of the season, things are slowly starting to look grim for the Bucks. However, the 2x MVP is the only one who can help turn things around.
There have been an array of issues that the Bucks haven’t been able to sort out lately. Compared to their previous seasons, the Bucks have played terrible defense this year. While they usually rank amongst the top five on defensive ratings, Milwaukee has struggled to maintain that standard. Overall, besides Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the rest of their players haven’t shown any consistency, which has duly impacted the outcome of their season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may have suffered from a soleus strain
The Bucks recently took on the Boston Celtics to close out the regular season series. Milwaukee walked away with a notable victory but Giannis Antetokounmpo went down after inbounding the ball. After 29 minutes of performing, the former Defensive Player of the Year landed awkwardly without making much contact. After releasing that he couldn’t go any further, the Bucks ruled him out for the rest of the game. Milwaukee managed to maintain a steady lead to grab the 91-104 victory.
Giannis left the Bucks game after an apparent leg injury in the 3Q pic.twitter.com/3RFrSMy9uv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2024
However, while Antetokounmpo went down, he immediately grabbed his calf which could’ve either meant he endured a calf strain or an Achilles injury. Fans were also concerned as one said, “Prayers up man I hope it’s nothing more than a cramp or a tweak.” Another fan said, “Damn looks like a popped Achilles or calf. Prayers up.”
Prayers up man I hope it’s nothing more than a cramp or a tweak
— Jake (@__jake_adams__) April 10, 2024
Damn looks like a popped Achilles or calf. Prayers up
— Clay (@CassiusClayKO) April 10, 2024
Sources claim that it is most likely a calf strain and the Bucks could sideline him for at least six games or two weeks. Giannis finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Patrick Beverley stepped up to lead the Bucks with 20 points.
Damian Lillard breaks his silence on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury
After the game, Damian Lillard addressed facing the same injury just over a year ago. He claimed that was extremely painful to deal with, which also raises a lot of concern about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s condition. He said, “That sh*t hurt. It hurt. And it makes sense that. When I did it, usually I’m able to walk things off. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance and when I did it, I started to walk, it wasn’t just that it was that painful, it was that the muscle just can’t handle it.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Suffers in acute left lower leg injury here jogging up the court
Initially here are the possibilities for what he is dealing with:
1. Calf/Gastrocnemius cramp
2. Gastrocnemius strain
3. Soleus strain
4. Plantaris tear
5. Achilles tearThese are in… https://t.co/LzKinJ7gEc pic.twitter.com/7vjoJPJdui
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) April 10, 2024
The Bucks still have a lot more to prove which we should be able to see during the playoffs. Lillard revealed that it took him at least two weeks to recover which means that Giannis has ample time to rehab. Antetokounmpo usually never loses form during times like this which is a good sign. However, the Bucks need to be careful with the way they handle it. Losing Giannis during the playoff would mean an automatic exit.