The Bucks are likely to have their superstar back on the court on Saturday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to suit up for their game against the Bulls, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm reports. Antetokounmpo, who has been sidelined eight games due to a right calf strain, will still need to clear the pregame tests required by the Bucks’ training staff to gain final clearance. Antetokounmpo has been steadily increasing his activity in recent weeks, including a full-contact three-on-three scrimmage following a pregame shootaround on Tuesday.
He’s been sidelined since suffering the injury in the opening quarter against the Pistons on Dec. 3. Milwaukee managed to win that game without him but have since posted a 2-6 record. The Bucks’ offense has stalled without his all-around contributions — they’ve scored 105 or fewer points in five of those losses.
The Bucks have a 12-19 overall record, leaving them in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. It’s mainly due to the absences of Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 29.1 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 63.9 percent from the field. He also missed some time due to a left adductor strain. The Bucks are 10-7 this season in games he’s played.
While on the mend, Antetokounmpo tried to downplay the usual rumors regarding his future by declaring that he’s “locked in” to playing with the team that drafted him in 2013.
“I’m still locked in, locked in on my teammates. Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy,” Antetokounmpo said on Dec. 18. “And then, locked in on my teammates and how can I help them from the sideline or encourage them to be able to play and play free? Because at the end of the day, it takes a toll on them, too, right? They’re playing game after game after game. Thank God we’ve had a very good schedule in the last couple of weeks, but it takes a toll on them, too — rumors, injuries, lose, win. It’s hard, right? As a leader, but most importantly as a winner, you just gotta be there for them first.”