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Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out the Milwaukee Bucks’ 126-117 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. The two-time MVP was probable heading into that match-up but was downgraded to out hours before the game.
Antetokounmpo will have the same status for the Bucks when they take on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. He is dealing with right knee soreness, an issue he has been playing through for over three months already.
“The Greek Freak,” however, was a full participant in Milwaukee’s practice for tonight’s game against the Pacers. The Bucks, though, can still sideline Antetokounmpo as they will be playing the first game of a back-to-back set. They face the Boston Celtics on Thursday, which might be when the superstar will be needed the most.
The Bucks also have another marquee match-up on their hands on April 2 when they host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability tonight may depend on how the team manages his load.
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status tonight against the Indiana Pacers?
The Milwaukee Bucks have designated Giannis Antetokounmpo as probable for the game versus the Indiana Pacers. He is still dealing with a sore right knee.
Milwaukee is in the final leg of a four-game road trip and sidelined Antetokounmpo on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons. The Bucks seem to be carefully managing his load as they’ve already clinched a spot in the postseason.
Even if the two-time MVP is healthy, he may yet remain on the bench given their next two opponents. The Bucks will face the Boston Celtics on Thursday and then the Philadelphia 76ers on April 2.
The MVP race could push him to play as many games as possible down the stretch, though. He has squarely put his name into the conversation after having an incredible last few months. Putting up numbers and getting wins will increase his chances of winning a third MVP award.
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impact on the Milwaukee Bucks?
On Jan. 6, following a 138-109 blowout loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the Milwaukee Bucks held a 25-14 record. Nearly three months later, the Bucks own a 54-21 win-loss slate, the best record in the entire NBA.
They lost just seven games during that stretch to zoom past the Boston Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference and the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the biggest reason for the Bucks’ blistering form.
Last year, “The Greek Freak” dragged the Celtics to a Game 7 without Khris Middleton. If Milwaukee remains healthy, they will be the favorites to emerge out of the bloodbath in the East.
Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez are hitting peak form. The addition of Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder has also given them a boost.
On both ends of the floor, they’re going to be the team to beat in perhaps the whole league. Giannis Antetokounmpo sets the tone for the Milwaukee Bucks on both offense and defense.
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