Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Playing Game 2? The Bucks’ biggest star suffered a lower back contusion in Sunday’s 130-117 Game 1 loss to the Heat.
In the first quarter, Antetokounmpo drove for a layup but collided with Kevin Love, who stood his ground for a charge. The power forward fell on his back and stayed on the floor in pain before eventually getting up.
He returned to the game with his back taped but had to leave the court again due to the pain and was officially ruled out of the game before halftime.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters after the game that an X-ray came back “clear”.
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Playing Game 2?
In more good news, it was reported on Monday that the two-time MVP received an MRI on his injured back that came back clean.
Budenholzer said the team was feeling positive about his status for the remaining games in the series.
“He’s still sore, but I think progress,” Budenholzer said. “He’s getting some treatment, and we’ll just continue to monitor him for the next day or two.”
Budenholzer said his team were lucky enough to be granted two days off in between Games 1 and 2, which will give Antetokounmpo extra time to recover.
The Bucks are scheduled to practice Tuesday afternoon so we will see if Antetokounmpo takes the practice court then.
“I think still mostly positive, mostly optimistic,” Budenholzer said. “But we’ll see how he feels over the next day or two.”
Game 2 between Milwaukee and Miami will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 9:00PM ET at Fiserv Forum.
Check back here for further updates as they become available.