NBA injury report: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight? Star set for crucial return as Milwaukee Bucks eye turnaround vs Chicago Bulls | NBA News
The Athletic reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo, the standout player for the Milwaukee Bucks, is anticipated to rejoin the starting lineup on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls. After suffering a calf strain against the Detroit Pistons on December 3, Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since. However, if he passes pregame examinations with the Bucks’ medical team, he will return to the court in Chicago. Due to a right calf issue, Antetokounmpo has missed the team’s last eight games since December 3. Before the game, he will still need to pass tests administered by the team’s medical staff, but if all goes according to plan, the Bucks may have their two-time MVP back on the court for the beginning of a crucial moment.
Giannis Antetokounmpo set to return as Milwaukee Bucks eye much-needed boost against Bulls
According to sources who spoke with ESPN, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is anticipated to play on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls, provided he completes his pregame routine without any problems. The Bucks have gone 2-6 while Antetokounmpo has missed eight games due to the injury. Antetokounmpo will therefore return to a squad that is 12-19 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference if he plays on Saturday as planned. The trade rumors that were circulating around Antetokounmpo prior to his injury should only intensify as a result.There were rumors earlier this month that Antetokounmpo was considering leaving Milwaukee. The two-time NBA MVP recognized that his agent ultimately works for him and not the other way around, despite his best efforts to place the burden on his representation.Antetokounmpo said:“If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he is his own person. He can have any conversation he wants about it.. At the end of the day, I don’t work for my agent, my agent works for me. There’s going to be conversations that are going to be made between him and the Bucks and him and his other players and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league.”Given that both sides have made their fair share of mistakes throughout this affair, the situation may be headed towards an ugly separation. Antetokounmpo is still a member of the Bucks for the time being, and he will make an effort to support Milwaukee as it tries to go back into the postseason.Antetokounmpo described the issue earlier this month as a soleus strain, the same ailment that prevented him from playing in the 2024 postseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return could give the Milwaukee Bucks a much-needed boost
Milwaukee is now in 11th place in the East after going 2-6 in the eight games without Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP forward will play for the first time in 24 days if he passes pregame testing. Before the game against the Bulls, the Bucks were 2-6 without Antetokounmpo.Antetokounmpo has been as productive as ever through 17 games this season. Each game, he averages 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. Additionally, he is shooting a career-high 63.9% from the field.Antetokounmpo has averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 64% from the field in 17 games this season. When he plays, Milwaukee is 10-7; when he is out, they are 3-11.Also read: Milwaukee Bucks re-sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo as Giannis Antetokounmpo locks in for 13th season
