Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with calf injury (Image via NBA) Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to miss up to four weeks due to a calf injury, according to Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers on December 5. Antetokounmpo should be making considerable progress in his rehabilitation by now, since it has been almost three weeks since the last meaningful update for the former back-to-back MVP.Last month, Antetokounmpo had a left adductor strain that kept him out of four games. In his fourth game back, he injured his calf. Antetokounmpo, who turned 31 on December 6, thinks the calf issue might have resulted from his quick recovery from the adductor condition.
Giannis Antetokounmpo stays focused on recovery as Milwaukee Bucks ease him back into practice
Antetokounmpo’s thirteenth season with the Bucks has been hampered by injuries. Giannis Antetokounmpo stated on Thursday that he is not concerned with rumors regarding his future plans, but rather with getting healthy and helping the Milwaukee Bucks turn their season around.The nine-time All-Star has averaged 28.9 points on 63.9% shooting, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 29.1 minutes per game in 17 games this season.For the first time since an ESPN article on December 3 stated that he and his agent, Alex Saratsis, were discussing whether it would be better for him to remain in Milwaukee or be dealt, Antetokounmpo addressed reporters. That evening, during a win against the Detroit Pistons, Antetokounmpo hurt his right calf and hasn’t played since.“There’s going to be conversations that are going to be made between (my agent) and the Bucks, and him and his other players, and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league,” Antetokounmpo said during the 24-minute media session. “It’s something that you can’t control. But, at the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks. I’m still locked in, locked in on my teammates. Most importantly, locked in on me getting back healthy.”Additionally, Antetokounmpo also said:“Maybe it was a mistake of me coming back a little bit earlier, because once I come back, now you’re overcompensating… The only way you can pop your soleus is by overcompensating and then having an extreme amount of load or play a lot of games in a short period of time. Again, I think all of the things that I was thinking and trying to come back led to the incident that I had with my soleus.”The Bucks used social media on Saturday to provide an important update on Antetokounmpo’s recuperation. By posting a picture of the 6-foot-11 forward in full gear on the court, the team disclosed that he has resumed practice.the Bucks posted on X:”Giannis sighting at practice.” Although Antetokounmpo’s involvement in Saturday’s practice is unknown, his return to the court with his teammates is a positive development. This trend is encouraging even if it is unlikely that the nine-time All-NBA forward will be available for Milwaukee’s next game.The Bucks will continue to be cautious about their star player’s health. But Antetokounmpo’s return to practice just indicates that his much awaited comeback is finally approaching.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shuts down trade talk while Milwaukee Bucks struggle without him on the floor
Recently, Antetokounmpo has also been strongly associated with trade rumors. The 31-year-old has come out to refute reports that he sought a trade away from Milwaukee and reaffirm his loyalty to the franchise, at least for the time being.As the Bucks have struggled over the past month, talk over Antetokounmpo’s future has intensified. Before facing the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, Milwaukee had an 11-16 record. This featured a 2-8 record in games when Antetokounmpo had not participated in.With Antetokounmpo on the sidelines, the Bucks are having trouble finding consistency and could use any assistance they can get. As they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road on Sunday, their record stands at 11-17.Also read: Milwaukee Bucks reportedly remain firm on keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo despite growing trade speculation