Bucks fear Giannis Antetokounmpo could miss four to six weeks with calf injury
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Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo is preparing for a prolonged spell out of the lineup after injuring his right calf late in the Bucks’ 102-100 home defeat to the Denver Nuggets.
The two-time MVP began clutching the lower part of his right leg in the final minute, limped to the bench and did not return. Speaking afterward, Antetokounmpo said he will undergo an MRI on Tuesday and expects doctors to recommend a recovery window of “four to six weeks.”
“Probably the next steps will be, go to an MRI tomorrow,” Antetokounmpo told reporters. “After the MRI, they’ll tell me I popped something in my calf, in my soleus, something. They’ll probably give me a protocol of four to six weeks that I’ll be out.”
Head coach Doc Rivers noted he had already seen the 29-year-old forward laboring throughout the second half and ultimately refused his player’s request to stay on the court.
The setback comes amid a difficult stretch for Milwaukee. Monday’s loss was the team’s sixth in eight games, dropping the Bucks to 18-26 and leaving them outside the Eastern Conference play-in positions. Despite the Nuggets missing several regulars, Milwaukee could not capitalize.
Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists but grimaced repeatedly while playing 37 minutes. The club has now dropped five of its last six contests amid growing public frustration from its franchise cornerstone over effort and chemistry.
Should the MRI confirm a multi-week absence, the Bucks’ postseason hopes would face an even steeper climb.
Source: Hoops Wire
