Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing against Phoenix Suns tonight?
Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury problems have sidelined him for 15 games in the 2022-23 season. The two-time MVP missed three games due to a hand injury in early March, but his return to action was glorious.
After a three-game absence, Antetokounmpo returned against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. In 34 minutes, the Milwaukee Bucks forward scored 46 points on 19-for-28 shooting. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out four assists, and had a steal.
While the Bucks superstar looked better than ever in his last matchup, he may not be available for Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Suns.
The seven-time All-Star seems to be 100%, but may get a day off since the Bucks will play on the second night of a back-to-back.
Keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo healthy is a priority for the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently have a 2.5-game lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics have 13 games left to play this season and are unlikely to catch up.
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Not only do the Bucks have a big lead over the second-placed team in the conference, but their remaining schedule is relatively easy. Milwaukee has the ninth-easiest schedule, which is why giving Giannis a day off seems like a good idea.
The Suns will also be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after they suffered an 11-point loss against the Golden State Warriors last night. Furthermore, they will be without Kevin Durant, their best player.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's numbers in back-to-back games
Giannis Antetokounmpo has appeared in five back-to-backs this season. He's averaged 30.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in those contests.
The two-time MVP averaged 33.3 minutes per game in these games and was also quite efficient, converting 52.2% of his shots.
He's had several fantastic performances, including a 30-point, 21-rebound game against the Toronto Raptors in early January.
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If the seven-time All-Star decides to suit up on Tuesday night, he will likely have a limitation on his minutes. However, there is a good chance that the Bucks will let him sit this one out.