Giannis Antetokounmpo’s calf injury puts All-Star spot in jeopardy
nba-faces-all-star-replacement-for-antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo said Friday he expects to be sidelined four to six weeks with a right calf strain, a timeline that would keep him out of the NBA All-Star Game next month.
Because Antetokounmpo had already been voted an Eastern Conference starter, the league must select an injury replacement. Under NBA rules, Commissioner Adam Silver will choose the substitute player, according to insider Chris Haynes.
The league’s midseason spectacle carries added intrigue this year with a new World vs. USA format. Antetokounmpo, one of the sport’s top international stars, would have headlined the global roster.
The injury complicates matters for a Bucks club that has struggled recently, slipping in the standings amid questions about chemistry and direction. Antetokounmpo has publicly voiced disappointment with the team’s effort, and Milwaukee will now navigate several critical weeks without its centerpiece.
No timetable was offered for when the NBA will announce the All-Star replacement, but the decision is expected to spark extensive debate among fans and analysts.
Source: Hoops Wire
