PORTLAND, Ore. – Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health status and has now caught the attention of the NBA’s league office, as commissioner Adam Silver addressed the Milwaukee Bucks’ star player’s lack of availability on March 25.
Silver’s comments came a day after the National Basketball Players Association issued a statement on Antetokounmpo’s behalf, asking the league to enforce its player participation policy and allow star players to play if healthy enough to do so.
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“Prior to that press release from the players association, we were not aware there was an issue,” Silver said after the league’s board of governors meeting in New York. “We knew Giannis was injured. He was within the sort of usual period it was taking to come back from that injury. So I was a bit surprised by that press release.
“Yes, when our players association announces they see an issue, of course we’ll look into it. So that’s where it currently stands.”
When asked about the Bucks’ handling of the situation rising to the level of the league office before taking on the Trail Blazers in Portland on March 25, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said “I don’t think it’s a big deal.”
“Maybe you don’t know this, but they look into every injury. This is nothing new. Probably because it’s been talked about, (Silver) felt the need to say something, but I’ve not been on a team where when you have injuries, they don’t look at it. So I don’t think it’s anything new.”
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo talks with referee Marat Kogut (32) during the second half of their game Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Orlando Magic beat the Milwaukee Bucks 130-91.
Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee after he landed awkwardly following a dunk on March 15 vs. Indiana. Antetokounmpo wanted to return to play but was held out by the Bucks’ training staff.
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“For me, every game is worth it,” Antetokounmpo said after that game. “Every time I step on the floor I try not to take it for granted I appreciate just being out there, especially when I’m getting my rhythm back and I’m feeling good. But again, that was the time that you gotta look back and you just gotta listen. Just gotta listen. And I listened. But I try not to make it bigger than what it is.”
Sitting at his locker postgame, he said he did not want to get imaging done on his knee. He eventually did undergo an MRI, and though Rivers said there was no structural damage, Antetokounmpo has been held out since.
More: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want? He wants to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks
Before the Bucks’ game in Phoenix on March 21, Antetokounmpo went through a lengthy pregame workout that included several dunks, which is something he doesn’t usually do.
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In Portland, Rivers maintained that Antetokounmpo is not healthy enough to play.
“He’s not,” Rivers said when asked about the NBPA’s assertion that Antetokounmpo is healthy and not being allowed to play. “He’s progressing, he’s just not healthy.”
Part of the NBPA’s statement was an implication the Bucks have been “tanking,” or manipulating ways for the team to lose to better its draft position.
When asked about that Rivers said: “Guys, we’re just trying to get Giannis cleared and healthy. That’s our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.
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“We didn’t have a meeting about this. Let me put it like this, we didn’t have one discussion. Jon Horst didn’t call me to talk to me about this, just to show you the concern we have (about these statements).”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, NBA commissioner Adam Silver address Giannis’ health, tanking