At a Glance
- Giannis Antetokounmpo may return from a calf strain after missing 8 games
- Bucks listed him as questionable for Saturday’s Chicago game
- Team record drops to 3-11 without him
- Why it matters: The Bucks’ performance and Antetokounmpo’s health directly affect playoff hopes
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, could soon rejoin the Milwaukee Bucks after a right calf strain sidelined him for the last eight games. The team’s injury report now lists him as questionable for Saturday’s matchup in Chicago, a shift from a previous outright absence.
Potential Comeback
The Bucks’ injury update suggests Antetokounmpo is edging toward a return, though he has not played since the 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 3. The calf injury occurred just over three minutes into that game, following his return from a left adductor strain that kept him out of four earlier contests.
Giannis Antetokounmpo said:
> “Maybe it was a mistake of me coming back a little bit earlier, because once I come back, now you’re overcompensating. The only way you can pop your soleus is by overcompensating and then having an extreme amount of load or play a lot of games in a short period of time. Again, I think all of the things that I was thinking and trying to come back led to the incident that I had with my soleus.”
Impact on the Bucks
The team’s record has suffered when Antetokounmpo is out. In the eight games he missed, Milwaukee went 2-6. Overall, the Bucks stand 9-8 with him and 3-11 without him.
| Condition | Record |
|---|---|
| With Antetokounmpo | 9-8 |
| Without Antetokounmpo | 3-11 |
| While missed due to calf | 2-6 |
Antetokounmpo, who turned 31 on Dec. 6, averages 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Key Takeaways
- Antetokounmpo may return after an eight-game absence.
- Milwaukee’s performance drops to 3-11 without him.
- The player averages 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
As the Bucks look to stabilize their season, Antetokounmpo’s potential return could be a turning point for a team struggling to find consistent success.
