CHICAGO — The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping Giannis Antetokounmpo will not miss an excessive amount of time due to his sprained proper ankle.
Antetokounmpo sat out Friday’s 108-98 win over the Chicago Bulls, after he exited within the opening minute of a loss to Houston the earlier evening. The 2-time MVP rolled his already-hurt ankle when he appeared to step on the foot of Rockets massive man Kelly Olynyk whereas driving for a layup.
Antetokounmpo limped to the locker room and spent a couple of minutes there earlier than returning to the bench, the place he sat for the remainder of the sport. He completed with one level.
Coach Mike Budenholzer had no replace on Antetokounmpo’s situation, although he was “hopeful that it is very quick time period.”
Antetokounmpo ranked fifth within the NBA in scoring (28 factors per sport) and seventh in rebounding (11.2) by means of Thursday. The Bucks are third within the Jap Convention behind Brooklyn and Philadelphia after Friday’s video games.
The Bucks are not any strangers to taking part in with out Antetokounmpo. Friday’s sport was the 10th he has missed, together with six in early April with an ailing left knee. Milwaukee went Three-Three in that stretch.
“I do suppose there is a silver lining to us taking part in with out him and different guys getting alternatives and rising and growing,” Budenholzer stated. “Clearly, we’ll be at our greatest when he is wholesome and the entire group is wholesome.”
The Bucks had been lacking one other starter with ahead Donte DiVincenzo — averaging 10.2 factors and 5.5 rebounds — out with a sore proper massive toe. He lately missed two video games.
“We really feel like hopefully if we are able to handle this, keep on prime of it, maintain it to a minimal, we count on him to be good to go,” Budenholzer stated.