Hours before the Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics on March 2 at Fiserv Forum, the team upgraded Giannis Antetokounmpo’s physical status for the first time since he reinjured his right calf on Jan. 23.
The team officially listed Antetokounmpo as questionable to play against the Celtics, which likely means he must go through his full pregame routine without issue. The team typically does not hold a full shootaround the day after playing, and the Bucks returned from a loss in Chicago on March 1.
Injured Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo walks off the court after practicing before his team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
When Antetokounmpo injured the calf, which was the second time he strained it this season, Antetokounmpo predicted he would be out four to six weeks. March 2 marks the beginning of the sixth week since the injury, and Antetokounmpo has been doing “live” work with coaches and teammates the last two weeks.
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Antetokounmpo has missed the last 15 games.
More: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want? He wants to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks
The 31-year-old superstar has been largely unhealthy this season, as he strained a left adductor on Nov. 17 and missed four games from Nov. 20-26. He returned to play four games under a minute restriction and then suffered his first calf strain early on Dec. 3. He then missed eight games from Dec. 5-26 before again returning under a minute restriction.
Antetokounmpo has not been fully healthy since Nov. 15.
In his 12 fully healthy games he played this season from Oct. 22-Nov. 15, Antetokounmpo shot 63% from the field and averaged 32.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.
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In the 18 games he played under a minute restriction, or left early with injury, Antetokounmpo shot 65.9% while averaging 24.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 0.4 blocks in just about 26 minutes per game.
Milwaukee went 15-15 when Antetokounmpo played any number of minutes and are 11-18 without him.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) is fouled by Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) is fouled by Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) reacts after hitting a three-point basket and drawing a foul during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) beats Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) to a loose ball during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) scores on Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) attempts a three-point shot over Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) shoots over Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) passes around Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) and Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) vie for a rebound during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cam Thomas (24) finds an open teammate during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) guards Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) hits a three-point basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) misses a basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma (18) misses a shot while being guarded by Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the second half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) beats Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) to a rebound during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.\
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) hits a three-point shot over Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives past Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) misses a three-point basket over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) guards Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) during the first half of their game Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers watches guard Cam Thomas (24) sub for guard Kevin Porter Jr. (7) during the first half of their game against the Miami Heat Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is shown during the first half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 128-117
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra argues a call during the first half of their game against the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks upgrade the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo