Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, and Denver Nuggets’ Zeke Nnaji battle for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play when the Milwaukee Bucks face the Philadelphia 76ers on January 27, 2026. The Bucks have officially ruled him out with a right calf strain, removing the biggest name from what was expected to be a high-profile matchup at Fiserv Forum.Milwaukee is already short-handed, and Giannis’ absence makes this game about depth rather than star power. With the Eastern Conference race tightening, the Bucks are now focused on getting through this stretch without their best player while avoiding further injuries.
Giannis Antetokounmpo officially out against Philadelphia 76ers (January 27, 2026)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as OUT on the NBA’s injury report for January 27 due to a right calf strain. There was no indication of a possible return for this game, and Milwaukee never suggested his status might change before tipoff.The Bucks are also missing Kevin Porter Jr., who is sidelined with a right oblique strain, and Taurean Prince, who remains out while recovering from neck surgery. Those absences thin out Milwaukee’s wing rotation and limit lineup flexibility.
How the injury occurred
The calf issue worsened during Milwaukee Bucks’ 102–100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on January 23, 2026. Giannis Antetokounmpo was visibly limited late in the fourth quarter and struggled to attack the basket before leaving the game. Afterward, he said he expected to miss four to six weeks, noting it felt similar to a calf problem he dealt with earlier in the season.An MRI later confirmed a calf and soleus strain. Head coach Doc Rivers said there is no set timeline for Giannis’ return, making it clear the team is prioritizing recovery over a quick comeback.
What changes for the Bucks vs 76ers game
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks loses its main source of scoring, playmaking, defense, and rebounding. He leads the team in points, rebounds, assists, and minutes, and there is no single player who can replace that production.On offense, the Bucks are expected to rely more on Brook Lopez in the post and Bobby Portis as a physical scoring option. Portis has averaged 16.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in the games Giannis has missed this season. Defensively, Milwaukee must adjust without Giannis’ help defense and rim protection, which could give Philadelphia’s guards and bigs more space to operate.
Bigger picture moving forward
A four-to-six-week absence likely keeps Giannis out through late February and possibly into early March, putting his All-Star availability in doubt. It also raises questions about how well Milwaukee Bucks can stay competitive in the standings during his absence, which has led to renewed trade talk around the team.Also read: Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs the Milwaukee Bucks? Latest update on the Philadelphia 76ers star’s injury report (January 27, 2026)For fans, fantasy players, and bettors, the answer is simple: Giannis Antetokounmpo is not playing tonight. That shifts responsibility to Milwaukee’s role players and gives Philadelphia a clearer path to control the game in the paint and in transition.