Giannis Antetokounmpo Suffers Calf Injury, Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a right calf injury during Friday night’s 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets, which is expected to sideline him for at least four to six weeks. Antetokounmpo will undergo an MRI on Saturday for further evaluation of the injury, which limited him throughout the contest.
According to Antetokounmpo, the issue felt similar to the calf injury that sidelined him earlier this season. “After the MRI, they will tell me, probably, I popped something in my calf on my soleus or something,” Antetokounmpo said Friday. “This is from my experience being around the NBA.” The Bucks’ medical team will provide a more detailed diagnosis after the MRI results are available.
Previous Calf Injuries
Antetokounmpo has been no stranger to calf injuries in recent years. In December, he missed three weeks with what he later described as a right soleus strain, the same injury that kept him out of the 2024 playoffs. Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed concern about the recurring issue, stating, “This calf keeps coming up and it’s concerning… I’m not a doctor, but I’m smart enough to know that his calf keeps bothering him and there’s something that is there. It keeps happening, and that’s troublesome for all of us.”
Antetokounmpo’s history of calf injuries raises questions about the long-term impact on his performance and the team’s overall success. As reported by NBA.com, Antetokounmpo has been working with the Bucks’ training staff to strengthen his calf muscles and prevent future injuries. However, the recurrence of the issue suggests that more needs to be done to address the underlying cause.
Impact on the Bucks
The potential loss of Antetokounmpo is a significant setback for Milwaukee, which lost for the fifth time in the past six games on Friday night. The Bucks (18-26) are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings and trail the Hawks by 2½ games for the No. 10 seed. Overall, the Bucks are 3-11 this season without Antetokounmpo, highlighting the team’s reliance on their star player.
As Antetokounmpo works towards recovery, the Bucks will need to find ways to compensate for his absence. Coach Rivers will likely rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Antetokounmpo’s injury. The team’s performance during this period will be crucial in determining their chances of making the playoffs.
Recovery and Return
Antetokounmpo is expected to work his way back to full strength over the next few weeks. “I’m going to work my butt off to come back,” Antetokounmpo said. “That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully, the team will be in a place that we can at least make the play-in or make the playoffs and just take it day by day, try to get better.” The Bucks’ training staff will play a crucial role in Antetokounmpo’s rehabilitation, and their expertise will be essential in ensuring a successful return to the court.
According to Mayo Clinic, calf injuries can be challenging to recover from, and it’s essential to follow a structured rehabilitation program to prevent further complications. Antetokounmpo’s dedication to his recovery and the support of the Bucks’ medical team will be critical in his return to the court.
