Giannis Antetokounmpo, the standout player for the Milwaukee Bucks, is still very much out of commission, and the
Pacers will host the Bucks for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series tomorrow. Due to a left soleus (calf) strain,
which has kept him out of the first two games of the series, he is categorized as doubtful for Game 3. He’s working
toward a comeback, but he might not be prepared just yet.
“He fired this morning. He was lying down. Before Game 2 on Tuesday, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stated, “He’s
getting closer.” He mentioned that Antetokounmpo performed some active work the day before following
Milwaukee’s practice.
On April 9, during a Bucks regular season game against the Boston Celtics, the former MVP gave way in agony. The
next day, the injury was officially diagnosed. Although Antetokounmpo’s calf injury’s exact severity is unknown,
reports indicate that he will likely need two to four weeks to heal.
Wing for the Pacers During the Indiana regular season, Doug McDermott suffered a calf strain that kept him out of
action for 23 days, or more than three weeks. When McDermott first returned, he stated, “It was supposed to be a
two-to-four week injury.” “We got back a little earlier and everything’s felt great.”
Tomorrow night is Game 3, which will be the 18th game since Antetokounmpo’s injury. The series’ following two
games would be on the Tuesday and Sunday after that. His situation after Game 3 is unknown at this time.
After winning Game 1, Rivers responded, “We want Giannis back,” when asked if the Bucks would be cautious with
the injury.
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In addition to Antetokounmpo, a fellow Bucks player is also sidelined by an injury. Khris Middleton has a right ankle
sprain and is doubtful for Game 3. Middleton left Game 2 short due to an ankle injury and returned to the locker
room. So far in the series, he’s proven to be effective. The Athletic’s Eric Nemh reports that Middleton skipped
practice on Thursday.
In addition to those two players, Chris Livingston’s non-COVID-related ailment makes him uncertain for Milwaukee.
Bennedict Mathurin is still sidelined for the Pacers due to his right shoulder’s torn labrum. The Pacers and Bucks are
now knotted in the series, 1-1. In the best-of-seven series, health has emerged as a major plot point, with Indiana
having the healthier squad. The next two games are hosted by them.
