03/02/26 11:07:00
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03/02 23:04 CST Giannis Antetokounmpo returns and says he can't rush back from
injuries at age 31
Giannis Antetokounmpo returns and says he can't rush back from injuries at age
31
By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) --- Giannis Antetokounmpo developed a reputation for making
rapid returns from injury during his rise to superstardom, but the Milwaukee
Bucks forward acknowledges those days may be drawing to a close.
Antetokounmpo had 19 points and 11 rebounds Monday night in Milwaukee's 108-81
loss to the Boston Celtics, his first action since straining his right calf on
Jan. 23. The two-time MVP has missed a career-high 29 games this season, 23 of
those with calf injuries.
That's a new experience for Antetokounmpo, who had grown accustomed to
returning earlier than expected from injuries.
"I've just got to be smarter moving forward, because things that I was able to
do in the past maybe I'm not able to do now," Antetokounmpo said. "I've just
got to be more methodical with my rehab."
During Milwaukee's 2021 playoff run, Antetokounmpo missed just two games with a
hyperextended left knee and went on to earn NBA Finals MVP honors while leading
the Bucks to their first championship in half a century. Antetokounmpo scored
50 points in the series-ending Game 6 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
This season has proved more frustrating.
"I'm not old, but I'm older, for sure," Antetokounmpo said. "I'm not 24 years
old anymore. I'm 31."
Antetokounmpo missed eight games with a right calf strain in December, came
back and then strained his calf again. Calf issues also caused him to miss
Milwaukee's 2024 first-round playoff loss to Indiana.
"When you're dealing with soft-tissue issues, it's hard," Antetokounmpo said.
"I've dealt with knee pain in the past. It's totally different. If you're not
able to take care of your soft-tissue injuries, they can linger. I think that's
what happened this year. I feel like I've been playing the whole year with a
deficit."
The same could be said for Antetokounmpo's team.
Milwaukee is 15-16 with Antetokounmpo and 11-18 without him as the Bucks are
facing increasingly long odds in their bid for a 10th straight playoff berth.
The Bucks are 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, 3 1/2 games behind
10th-place Charlotte. The teams that finish seventh through 10th compete in a
tournament for the East's two final playoff spots.
Milwaukee went 8-2 without Antetokounmpo from Feb. 3-25 but has lost its last
three games by a combined 79 points. Bucks coach Doc Rivers altered his
rotation Monday by giving Ousmane Dieng his second start of the season and not
playing Kyle Kuzma.
Forward Bobby Portis referred to Milwaukee's 8-2 stretch as "fool's gold,"
pointing out that many of those wins came against teams with losing records.
"Obviously a lot of ground we have to cover to get into a play-in situation, a
playoff situation," Portis said. "New waters for us, new uncharted waters for
us. Really not used to being in this situation, but I just think ... staying
together is big. So many ways different guys can go. You can start thinking
about yourself. You can start thinking about summer, whatever it is."
The Bucks will try to make their push amid speculation about Antetokounmpo's
future.
In October, Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year contract
extension worth up to $275 million. He otherwise could become a free agent at
the end of next season.
Although Antetokounmpo repeatedly has discussed how much he loves playing in
Milwaukee, he also has prioritized wanting to play on a team that's committed
to competing for championships. The Bucks have lost in the first round of the
playoffs each of the last three seasons.
Now they'll have their hands full getting to the postseason at all. In the
meantime, Antetokounmpo will have his minutes restricted while he works toward
full health and gets accustomed to playing with Dieng and Cam Thomas.
"I'm just happy that I'm on the court," Antetokounmpo said. "It doesn't matter
if I play 18 minutes, 20 minutes, 22, whatever, I'm just happy that I'm out
there. I'm just in a mindset where I try not to take nothing for granted."
___
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