The Milwaukee Bucks enter Tuesday looking to double down on their 1-0 lead in their first-round series against the Indiana Pacers. They took care of business in game 1 at home last Sunday via a 109-94 score, and they did that without superstar forward and two-time league Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo in uniform. But is there a chance that the Greek Freak will finally be able to return to action in Game 2 of the Pacers series? Milwaukee fans can't wait for Antetokounmpo's comeback, so the question is this: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing tonight vs. the Pacers?
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Giannis Antetokounmpo injury status vs. Pacers
The Bucks have been playing without Antetokounmpo since he suffered a left soleus strain injury during a late-season matchup against the Boston Celtics at home on Apr. 9. Since then, the Bucks have played four games, including the series opener versus Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
He was listed as doubtful, but he is now officially out for Tuesday's game against the Pacers, per the Bucks. On the other hand, he's already started to do some work on the court. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers also said that Monday was a “maintenance day” for the star player.
“Honestly, I don't even go in there (the training room). I could literally not tell you one thing what any of those guys do. I've learned, I just stay out the training room. I don't want to be in there because they may make me get on the table. You've seen me walk, right? I don't know,” Rivers said when asked to elaborate further, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“But I know even that is active stuff. I will say that. I know he's doing physical lifting and moving. But today – I think he's been on the court four days in a row – I think today is the non-court day, is maybe a better way of saying that,” Rivers added.
Although nothing should be taken for granted in the playoffs, the Bucks can afford to be a little bit more conservative in their approach to Antetokounmpo's return timetable. Milwaukee is up 1-0 in the Indiana series with Game 2 still to be played at the Bucks' home. The need for Antetokounpo to return could have been a lot different if the Bucks got upset in Game 1, but that was clearly not the case as they handily beat the Pacers.
The Bucks still have plenty of weapons to exploit the Pacers' leaky defense that allowed Damian Lillard to go off for 35 points and six made 3-pointers in Game 1. Khris Middleton contributed 23 points while Bobby Portis got to start in place of Antetokounmpo and produced a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes of action on the floor.
With Antetokounmpo ruled out for Game 2, the soonest he can make his debut in the 2024 NBA Playoffs will be in Game 3 of the series in Indiana on Friday. Game 4 will be on Sunday before the series goes back to Milwaukee on Apr. 29 for Game 5 — if necessary.
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