Giannis Antetokounmpo nearing return; Bucks will activate star once medically cleared, Rivers says
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Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Friday that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is “getting close” to completing his recovery from a strained right calf and will play as soon as team doctors declare him fully healthy.
Rivers spoke before the Bucks faced the Indiana Pacers, reiterating that the organization has no intention of shelving its franchise player for the remainder of the season. The forward has been out since Jan. 23, when he estimated a four-to-six-week absence.
Antetokounmpo took part in an on-court workout for the third straight game, running through shooting drills, post-up work and conditioning exercises with player-development staff and a team trainer. Milwaukee has posted a 5-14 record without him and stands 15-15 when he plays.
Entering Friday, the Bucks had won two consecutive games but remained 12th in the Eastern Conference, 2½ games behind the 10th-place Charlotte Hornets for the final play-in berth. Holding Antetokounmpo out could improve the club’s lottery odds, yet Rivers emphasized the priority is getting him back on the floor once he is fit.
The 10-time All-Star is averaging 30.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 65 percent in 30 appearances this season. He was selected to his 10th straight All-Star Game despite the injury.
Rivers also noted a lighter mood around the team after Thursday’s trade deadline passed with Antetokounmpo still on the roster. The coach compared it to a weight being lifted and referenced a social-media post in which the forward shared a clip from the 2013 film “The Wolf of Wall Street” accompanied by the message “Legends don’t chase. They attract.”
Source: ESPN
