The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo back to the floor Monday night, but the star forward’s return could not prevent a 108-81 defeat to the Boston Celtics.
Antetokounmpo logged 25 minutes in his first appearance after missing 15 games with a calf strain, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. “I’m just happy that I’m out there,” the two-time MVP said, adding that he is determined not to take any opportunity for granted despite feeling “a little bit rusty.”
Now 31, Antetokounmpo acknowledged he must manage soft-tissue injuries more carefully. “I’m not 24 years old anymore,” he noted. “If you don’t take care of soft-tissue injuries, they can linger, and I feel like I’ve been playing the whole year with a deficit.”
Rotation Adjustments
Head coach Doc Rivers reshuffled his lineup against Boston. Forward Kyle Kuzma recorded a DNP-CD, while Ousmane Dieng moved into the starting five and scored 13 points across a team-high 30 minutes. “I loved what Ous did,” Rivers said. “We’ve got to give this young kid as many minutes as we can while we’re trying to win games.”
Veteran guard Gary Harris also received extended playing time as Milwaukee searched for effective combinations with Antetokounmpo back on the court.
The Bucks will continue to evaluate their rotation as they push toward the postseason with their franchise cornerstone healthy once again.
Source: Hoops Wire
