Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a right calf strain just three minutes into Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. The two-time NBA MVP did not return and was ruled out before the first quarter ended. Antetokounmpo is undergoing an MRI, but an Achilles injury is unlikely to have occurred.
The injury occurred after Antetokounmpo delivered a jump pass assist to guard AJ Green. He collapsed to the floor in what appeared to be a noncontact injury while transitioning to defense. Antetokounmpo sat on the court and signaled to Doc Rivers for a timeout.
Teammate Kevin Porter Jr. committed a foul to stop play. Antetokounmpo remained seated during the timeout before limping to the bench under his own power. He briefly sat before walking gingerly to the locker room.
The Bucks trailed 10-4 with 9:00 remaining in the opening quarter when Antetokounmpo exited. He finished with two points, one rebound and one assist. Milwaukee announced via X that he would not return due to the calf strain.
Antetokounmpo missed four games last month with a left groin strain. He had played in Milwaukee’s previous three games before Wednesday’s contest.
The injury occurred hours after an ESPN report indicated Antetokounmpo is mulling his future with the Bucks. Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo and agent Alex Saratsis are having conversations with Milwaukee about whether his best fit is with the team or elsewhere.
Rivers addressed the report before Wednesday’s game, stating there have been no such conversations.
“There’s been no conversations,” Rivers said. “He loves Milwaukee and he loves the Bucks.”