• Sun. Dec 8th, 2024

I will never play for Bucks again: Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the team

Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo out, Khris Middleton active for Game 3

Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Friday night’s Game 3 of the series against the Indiana Pacers with a left calf strain, while forward Khris Middleton is active after hurting an ankle in Game 2 on Tuesday.

The Bucks already played the first two games of this series without Antetokounmpo. The Bucks and Pacers are tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since straining his left calf in an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics. He missed the Bucks’ final three regular-season games.

The NBA’s injury report Thursday afternoon listed Antetokounmpo as doubtful and Middleton as active for Friday’s game.

Middleton was limping in the first quarter of the Bucks’ 125-108 Game 2 loss and briefly went into the locker room, but he returned after getting his right ankle retaped and ended up playing 36 minutes. The three-time All-Star has averaged 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists through the first two games.

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo out, Khris Middleton active for Game 3 - ESPN

The Bucks have played without key performers on numerous occasions this year. The Bucks had their top three players — Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Damian Lillard — all available for only five of their last 35 games. That 35-game stretch covers Milwaukee’s last 33 regular-season contests and the first two games of this series.

The Bucks have become accustomed to dealing with injuries during the postseason.

Antetokounmpo missed the final 1½ games of a 2020 second-round loss to Miami with a sprained ankle. He didn’t play the final two games of the 2021 East finals with a hyperextended knee before returning to lead Milwaukee to the championship as the NBA Finals MVP, scoring 50 points in the title-clinching victory.

Middleton missed the Bucks’ final 10 playoff games in 2022 with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Last year, a bruised lower back knocked Antetokounmpo out of Game 1 and caused him to miss the next two games in the Bucks’ first-round loss to Miami.


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