Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks avoided a catastrophic wrist injury and will return after the swelling subsides: Sources
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks received additional testing, which found he did not sustain any major injury to his right wrist, NBA sources told The Athletic on Monday. Here’s what you should know:
Antetokounmpo sprained his wrist in the second quarter of the Bucks’ 112-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. He did not return for the rest of the game.
According to league sources, his return date will be determined by when the swelling reduces.
This season, the 28-year-old is averaging 31.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game for the Milwaukee Bucks (41-17), who are second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (42-17).
Backstory
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury with 10:55 remaining in the second quarter of Thursday’s game after attempting to block a shot at the basket.
Antetokounmpo took the court as a captain in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday with his right wrist and thumb taped. He made the first basket, then fouled out with 11:40 remaining in the game. His squad went on to defeat squad LeBron by a score of 185-174.
The implications for the Eastern Conference
With 24 games remaining on their schedule and a 12-game winning run prior to the All-Star break, the Bucks are presently second in the Eastern Conference at 41-17, only half a game behind the Boston Celtics. Antetokounmpo should be able to avoid an extended absence.
enabling them to stay in a tight fight at the top of the Eastern Conference and hold off the third-place 76ers, who are 2 1/2 games behind the Bucks, and the fourth-place Cavaliers, who are 4 1/5 games behind the Bucks. — Nehm
What does it mean for the Bucks?
Antetokounmpo is in the thick of another NBA MVP battle. He means everything to the Bucks and plays a huge role in everything they do on offense and defense, averaging a career-high 31.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
The Bucks have been plagued by injuries this season, but Antetokounmpo’s huge two-way effort has kept Milwaukee near the top of the rankings. Before suffering his injury against the Bulls last Thursday, the Bucks’ two-time NBA MVP was averaging 37.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in the previous 11 games. Keeping Antetokounmpo out for a prolonged period of time will be a huge advantage for the Bucks in the remaining 24 games of the season. — Nehm
