Giannis returns to Bucks camp after COVID-19 recovery
giannis-back-bucks-camp-after-covid
MIAMI — Giannis Antetokounmpo took part in Milwaukee Bucks practice on Saturday for the first time this season, ending a brief absence while he remained in Greece to recover from COVID-19.
The two-time MVP was limited to noncontact drills at the Florida International University facility, where the Bucks are holding several preseason sessions. Head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo expects to need “a good three days” before resuming full activity.
Antetokounmpo landed in Miami on Friday, four days after remotely joining the team’s media day. Milwaukee opened training camp Tuesday in Wisconsin, then traveled on Thursday to South Florida to prepare for Monday’s preseason opener against the Heat.
“I think it took a toll on my body. I’m not feeling 100 percent yet,” Antetokounmpo said. “Just taking it day by day, getting back in shape. I’ve got like 18 days until the first game, so I think I’ll be fine.” The Bucks begin the regular season on Oct. 22.
Now entering his 13th NBA campaign, all with Milwaukee, the 30-year-old forward is a nine-time All-Star, 2021 NBA champion, two-time league MVP and Finals MVP. He and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the only players to average at least 30 points in each of the past three seasons.
Rivers noted that Antetokounmpo’s early absence created opportunities to evaluate lineups without the franchise cornerstone. “The key to our team every year is the minutes when Giannis is off the floor,” the coach said. “We’ve been working on that, and maybe this helps us in the long run.”
Source: ESPN
