Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Game 5 of the Bucks‘ second-round series vs. the Heat on Tuesday night due to his sprained right ankle, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Antetokounmpo, who suffered his ankle sprain during Game 3 and re-aggravated the injury in Game 4, had been listed as questionable and was doing everything he could to return to the court, with head coach Mike Budenholzer telling reporters this afternoon that Giannis’ status would be a game-time decision. However, the quick turnaround from Sunday’s game apparently didn’t give the ankle enough time to heal.
Milwaukee managed to pull out a victory in Game 4 despite not having Antetokounmpo available for the second half, but extending the series again without the reigning MVP will be a tall task. Facing a 3-1 deficit, the Bucks will be eliminated with a loss. A win would force a Game 6 on Thursday and would give Giannis another opportunity to return.
While the Bucks will be without their leading scorer and rebounder, the Heat got some better injury news today. Jae Crowder (ankle), Tyler Herro (hip), and Kelly Olynyk (knee), who had all been listed as questionable on the injury report, are all expected to play tonight, per head coach Erik Spoelstra (Twitter link via Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel).
He should be playing.
If he were tough enough, he would be.
This is a silly take, clearly he is physically incapable of playing – no one would willingly miss an elimination game.
What exactly you got against him. Is it the MVP. You can’t be that blind of a homer. He’s DPOY and statistically best offensive player. You understand what that means. Very few in history have come close to that in same yr. It’s why Harden won’t win. His D sucks. To be honest he’s playing better D now. But it’s nothing close to DPOY. Being a homer makes you disrespectful. Have some humility. All great players want to be best.
Gentleman’s sweep it is.
He is also nursing sore shoulders and a sore back because the NBA was forced to give him 2 Defensive Player of the Year trophies rather than just one.
Though the trophies themselves are identical, the inscriptions are different.
The First Shows:
Giannis
(Continued on Next Trophy)
The Second Shows:
Antetokounmpo
(See First Trophy)
He’s checking out houses in the Bay
Bucks have started out hot. If they win I can’t wait for all the “Bucks are better without Giannis” posters. What this is really showing is that Miami has been playing way over their heads.
If Heat lose this game tonight they deserve no respect whatsoever.
They’ve definitely been exposed the last two games. They aren’t THAT good.
Bucks should be attacking Herro and Crowder. Make them play D and push them. It could slow them down on offense.
Bucks should be attacking Herro and Crowder. Make them play D and push them. It could slow them down on offense. Low scoring gm favors Heat. Bucks team is bad. And no one is stepping up. Heat keying on Middleton tonight. It’s over
So he’s probably getting traded. We all have our “team” how does your team land Giannis?
Bucks Get:
Ben Simmons, Thybulle, Smith + 2020 Thunder 1st + 2022 1st
Sixers Get:
Giannis + George Hill
I know there are Knicks, Heat, GSW, etc. fans that comment here. Can you beat a package based on Ben Simmons that the Bucks would probably accept, doesn’t deplete your team, and makes you a title contender next year?
That’s not bad. Knicks not ready. All we really have is picks n young players. Sixers starting with Ben should get their attention. Giannis is closest thing to Dr J.
I would take that. The Buck defense! The end of trade talk!
Giannis getting along with Embiid! Ugh. New trade talk.
Bucks coach should be fired. This is on him if you ask me. Spoelstra owned him. Bucks need a Butler.
Bucks need a Dragic. They’re lacking that offensive punch delivered by Brogdon at guard. Bledsoe’s a decent defender and facilitator, but lacks the upside required for a postseason run