How long will Giannis Antetokounmpo be out of action? Latest updates on his wrist injury and potential return
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a wrist injury in the team's 112-100 win against the Chicago Bulls on February 16. Antetokounmpo exited the game after grimacing in pain. Initial reports were positive.
The "Greek Freak" came through with his commitment to the All-Star weekend. However, he skipped the skills challenge and only played for a couple of minutes in the All-Star game, exiting after scoring the first points.
Antetokounmpo headed to New York for further testing on the injury on Monday (Feb. 20). Tests suggested that he had sustained a ligament sprain. Here's what ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported about this:
"Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a sprained ligament in his right wrist and will undergo treatment with the expectation that he'll be able to return to the lineup once the pain subsides, sources tell ESPN. He was examined in New York today."
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a sprained ligament in his right wrist and will undergo treatment with the expectation that he'll be able to return to the lineup once the pain subsides, sources tell ESPN. He was examined in New York today.
Antetokounmpo escaped a significant injury threat, as it seems he won't need surgery to recover. However, there is no concrete timeline available for his return. As Wojnarowski mentioned, it all depends on when his pain in the wrist subsides.
Stay tuned for more updates regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo's return date.
Milwaukee Bucks could slip in their bid to achieve the top spot without Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks have surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo with a legitimate contending roster and have incredible depth in all positions. However, Antetokounmpo's presence is crucial and decisive for the team. The seven-time NBA All-Star has averaged a career-high 31.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
The Bucks are 6-5 in Giannis' absence, just staying afloat without him. However, the Bucks have played teams below the .500 mark. They may struggle to win against top contenders in Antetokounmpo's absence.
The Bucks entered the weekend with a 41-17 record, the second-best in the East. They have the same number of losses as the Boston Celtics, holders of the league's best record.
The Milwaukee Bucks will need Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to step up in Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence. They also added Jae Crowder at the trade deadline, so the Bucks will have stability, especially on defense, in the "Greek Freak's" absence.
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo's extended absence at this stage could see him return in peak condition for the playoffs. Securing the homecourt for the entire postseason is an advantage. However, the Bucks are too good to see their odds drop off to win playoff games at a high level without homecourt advantage.