Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss start of playoffs – report
Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the start of the first-round series between the Bucks and the Indiana Pacers with a left calf strain, ESPN reported Tuesday, April 16 (Wednesday, April 17, Manila time).
Antetokounmpo was sidelined for the final three games of the regular season after the two-time MVP exited the April 9 win over the Boston Celtics.
ESPN reported Antetokounmpo committed to around-the-clock treatment for the muscle strain but was doubtful for Game 1 in Milwaukee.
The Pacers are the No. 6 seed in the East and dominated the regular-season series with the third-seeded Bucks, going 4-1.
In Milwaukee’s lone win this season over Indiana on December. 13, Antetokounmpo scored 64 points with 14 rebounds and 4 steals to carry the Bucks to a 140-126 victory.
Without Antetokounmpo, the third-seeded Bucks lost the No. 2 spot in the East to the New York Knicks on the final day of the regular season.
Antetokounmpo, 29, played in 73 regular-season games and the eight-time All-Star averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on a career-best 61.1% shooting from the field. – Rappler.com