Photo Source: NBA.com

Pre-Injury

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury came at the worst possible time. The Milwaukee Bucks (58 wins-24 Losses, 1st seed) were going against the Miami Heat (44 wins-38 Losses, 8th seed) in game 1 of the playoffs. Everyone knew that this should’ve been an easy win for the Bucks and that they would advance to the quarter finals, but that’s when the best player on the Bucks got injured.

The Injury

With 4 minutes and 13 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Giannis was going up to score over Kevin Love where he took a hard fall and ended up injuring his lower back and glutes. Giannis did try to return to the game but he ended up leaving to go to the locker room. Giannis X-rays were clear after game 1 on his lower back contusion and many believed that he would be back for game 2 and 3. However, a lower back contusion takes several days to even weeks to recover. Due to the loss of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks lost both games 1 and 3. 

Photo Source: GenesisPainClinic

Post Injury and How are the Bucks Adgusting

Giannis’ injury is day-to-day and he was questianable on his return for game 3. Head coach Mike Budenholzer said that he’s progressing and that they are optimistic on his return. “I would say he’s still sore, but I think progress,” Budenholzer said. “And he’s getting some more treatment and I think we’ll just continue to monitor him for the next day or two. Probably fortunate that there are two days between games, so I think still mostly positive, mostly optimistic, but we’ll see how he feels over the next day or two.” The Bucks lost game 1 and game 3 but managed to win in game 2. We can expect Giannis to play in game 4 on the 25th and lead the Bucks to the quarter finals.