NBA launches inquiry into Bucks over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability
nba-investigation-bucks-giannis-availability
New York, Apr. — The NBA has opened an investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks for a possible breach of the league’s player participation policy and for potentially conflicting statements about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s medical status, according to multiple league sources.
Insiders said league officials have already questioned Antetokounmpo, team executives and the Bucks’ medical staff. During those interviews, the franchise reportedly maintained that the 31-year-old forward is not game-ready and prefers to remain sidelined, while Antetokounmpo insisted he is healthy and has been denied medical clearance.
The two-time MVP has not appeared in a game since Mar. 15, when the Bucks listed him with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. Antetokounmpo told reporters Friday that he feels fit, has completed several full pre-game workouts in recent weeks and even finished the latest session with a windmill dunk.
“I’m available to play today. Right now,” he said. “Do I look like I’m not available? I don’t see myself in the starting lineup. I don’t know what game is being played here, and I don’t want to be part of it.”
Head coach Doc Rivers previously stated imaging on Antetokounmpo’s knee showed “no damage” when the forward was a late scratch for the Mar. 17 matchup against Cleveland. The veteran coach offered no timetable for a return at that time.
Growing tension with the organization
Antetokounmpo acknowledged a widening rift with team management. He said Milwaukee approached him shortly after the injury about sitting out the remainder of the season to safeguard his long-term health—an option he rejected. Since that conversation, he added, no one from the front office has revisited the proposal.
“For somebody to tell me not to play or compete, it’s a slap in my face,” Antetokounmpo told local media. “I’ve never seen a player of my caliber publicly say, ‘I want to play,’ and still be kept out.”
The National Basketball Players Association issued a statement on Mar. 24 supporting Antetokounmpo and questioning the NBA’s commitment to enforcing its own participation rules.
Antetokounmpo said he understands the logic of protecting draft position once a team is eliminated but believes that was not the situation on Mar. 15. “It’s almost like you waved the white flag, and I don’t do that,” he said.
The league has not provided a timetable for concluding its review.
Source: Hoops Rumors
