Bucks' Antetokounmpo could miss entire first round

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo could miss entire first round

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/19/24

The Milwaukee Bucks could be without star Giannis Antetokounmpo for the entire first round of the playoffs. That would place Doc Rivers' team under significant pressure. Milwaukee has struggled against the Indiana Pacers throughout the regular season. The Pacers have won four of their five meetings.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Giannis could miss two to four weeks as he recovers from the calf injury he suffered against the Boston Celtics on April 9.

"Giannis' status is still in doubt to start this first-round series this weekend against the Pacers," Charania said. "...He is doubtful to start this series. I'm told this injury could be anywhere from two to four weeks, potentially. We know his superhuman ability. That clearly puts his status for this series in jeporady. The Bucks and Giannis have to have some level of caution with this calf injury...The last thing the Bucks and Giannis would want is for him to get back and rushed onto the floor with a calf injury not being 100%."

"I'm told this injury could be anywhere from 2-4 weeks, potentially."

Our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania had an update on Giannis's injury status on our Playoff Preview show pic.twitter.com/kiy2WFHFHt
— Stadium (@Stadium) April 19, 2024

Without Giannis in the rotation, the Bucks' season rests on Damian Lillard's shoulders. The veteran ball-handler joined the franchise this past summer. His presence was supposed to elevate Milwaukee back into championship contention. So far, he and Giannis have struggled to develop the dominant partnership we all expected.

Milwaukee is -0.5 points per 100 possessions worse when Lillard is on the court without Giannis. While that's only a marginal difference, it doesn't paint the full picture.

As a team, the Bucks shoot an effective field-goal percentage of 53.8 when Giannis isn't on the floor, ranking them in the 41st percentile. Lillard's All-Star-level offense is supposed to stem that bleeding.

Nevertheless, Lillard must step into a leadership role and become the team's primary offensive option. He will need to dominate the Pacers. Otherwise, Giannis's season may have ended when he hobbled off the court on April 9.

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