The Milwaukee Bucks will close out the 2023-24 regular season without their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The decision comes after Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury in a 104-91 win over the Boston Celtics earlier this week.
Antetokounmpo went down in the third quarter of the Celtics game. He was running up the floor when he suddenly fell and grabbed his calf. The Bucks initially feared that he might have injured his Achilles, which would end his season completely, but an MRI showed that it was only a calf strain.
“Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI last night that confirmed the diagnosis of a left soleus (calf) strain. He will miss the remaining three games of the regular season and receive daily treatment and evaluation,” the Bucks said in an update.
The Bucks are currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 49-31 record but still need to win at least one of their two remaining games to lock the spot with the third-place New York Knicks breathing down their neck.
It now remains to be seen whether Antetokounmpo recovers in time to be available for the start of the postseason. The Bucks are scheduled to play Game 1 on April 20 or April 21, but players usually miss between one and two weeks with similar injuries.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and a career-high 6.5 assists per game this season.
