Ahead of Wednesday night’s Game 2, the Milwaukee Bucks released some information that nobody wanted to hear.
Per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, in the Bucks’ first injury report for tomorrow’s playoff game vs. the Heat, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as “doubtful” with a lower back contusion.
The Bucks have submitted their first injury report for tomorrow’s Game 2 against the Heat.
Doubtful:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion)OUT:
Wesley Matthews (right calf strain)— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 18, 2023
Antetokounmpo didn’t practice on Tuesday but head coach Mike Budenholzer said that the team is “optimistic” about his status for Game 2.
Telling reporters, “We have 24-plus hours before game time. He’ll get treatment, we’ll see how he feels. There’s been a lot of progress and hopefully there’s more in the next day or so. … There’s an optimism. Time is a little bit on our side, but that equation will flip. But yeah, I would say we’re optimistic.”
Giannis suffered the contusion after taking a hard fall while charging into Heat forward Kevin Love. And although he attempted to return to the game, he ended up playing just 11 minutes before officially being ruled out.
If the injury continues to linger it could change the trajectory of the entire playoffs. Let’s hope the Bucks’ optimism wins out and we get to see Giannis back on the floor sooner rather than later.