Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Expected to Miss Start of Playoff Series Against Pacers Due to Injury

The Milwaukee Bucks are bracing themselves to begin their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers without their star player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he continues to recover from a left calf strain.

According to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Bucks are optimistic that Antetokounmpo’s calf injury will respond well to treatment, potentially allowing him to rejoin the team later in the series. However, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium has indicated that there are concerns about his availability for the series opener, given the ongoing rehabilitation process.

Antetokounmpo sustained the injury during a game against the Boston Celtics on April 9, initially raising fears of a more severe ailment. However, subsequent evaluations have confirmed that his left Achilles tendon remains intact, providing some relief for the Bucks organization.

Throughout the regular season, Antetokounmpo showcased his MVP-caliber performance, averaging impressive statistics across multiple categories. His absence will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for the Bucks as they aim to navigate through the playoffs.

Despite the coaching change mid-season, with Doc Rivers taking over from Adrian Griffin, the Bucks struggled to find their rhythm, finishing the season with a less-than-ideal record under Rivers’ leadership.

Now, with Antetokounmpo sidelined, the Bucks will heavily rely on players like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to step up and fill the void left by their star forward. It’s a daunting task, but one that the team will need to tackle head-on as they face off against the Pacers in what promises to be a fiercely contested playoff series.