Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential return date to the Milwaukee Bucks, with the forward recovering from a calf strain that the player himself had anticipated, could keep him sidelined for four to six weeks.
The two-time MVP also said after the Bucks’ 102-100 loss to Denver on Friday that an MRI would determine if he was suffering from a calf or soleus strain in his right leg. Bucks coach Doc Rivers confirmed the diagnosis of the calf strain on Monday but did not speculate on when Antetokounmpo might return.
“There’s not really a timetable,” Rivers said.
The 31-year-old Greek star had his right calf wrapped in the first half of the game against Denver. He didn’t seem comfortable the rest of the night and retired for good with 34 seconds left.
“I felt like I couldn’t fully deploy,” Antetokounmpo said after the game. “I could jog. I couldn’t get on my toes, so I was jogging on my heel most of the game. I didn’t have the same explosiveness, but I still felt like I could help. In the end, when it broke, I had to go out. I couldn’t walk.”
Previously, Antetokounmpo missed eight games from Dec. 5-26 due to a right calf strain. Strains in his left calf caused him to miss the 2024 playoffs and the 2025 All-Star Game.
Rivers said the Bucks have not considered resting Antetokounmpo for the rest of the season despite his history of calf problems.
“That has not been considered,” Rivers said. “But listen, there is no calendar either.”
The Bucks (18-26) have lost five of their last six games and are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, seriously putting their streak of nine consecutive playoff berths in serious jeopardy. They have gone 15-15 with Antetokounmpo and 3-11 without him this season.
Antetokounmpo acknowledged Friday that he would have pulled out of that game much sooner if the Bucks had a significantly better record. Instead, he played 32 minutes and had 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.
“I think it speaks volumes about his character and who he is as a person and a player,” forward Bobby Portis said.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 30 games this season.
The Bucks have also played their last two games without Kevin Porter Jr., the second-leading scorer, due to an oblique strain. Rivers said there is no indication yet as to when Porter might return.
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