Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo might be ready to go for Game 1 of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
Antetokounmpo, who has been dealing with a knee injury suffered in the conference finals, has been upgraded to questionable ahead of the series opener with the Suns, with Adrian Wojnarowski also saying he might even be a game-time decision.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable on this afternoon’s injury report.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 6, 2021
Reporting with @Malika_Andrews: Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo has continued around-the-clock treatment on his left knee with hopes of becoming cleared to play Game 1 of the Finals vs. Phoenix tonight. There’s expected to be a game-time decision on his availability.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2021
This is a very encouraging sign for the Bucks, with the team growing increasingly optimistic about Giannis' status.
The Bucks star upped his on-court activity on Monday, with head coach Mike Budenholzer saying it would be a wait-and-see kind of approach. The “Greek Freak” was initially labeled as doubtful, but might now be primed to take the floor against the Suns.
It will be interesting to see just how mobile Giannis is should he indeed be active for Game 1. The Bucks had initially feared he might have suffered structural damage to the knee after hyperextending it in Game 4 against the Hawks. However, an MRI assuaged the team's fears, and now Antetokounmpo could be back to lead his team against the Suns.
Both teams have everything to gain. As young as he is, a championship would mean everything to Antetokounmpo's legacy, not to mention a Bucks franchise that has not won an NBA title since 1971. Hoisting the Larry O'Brien would be that much more meaningful to Chris Paul and the Suns. A title would cement Paul's legacy as one of the best point guards ever, while also giving Phoenix its first championship in franchise history.
The Bucks and Suns are set to do battle Tuesday night. Will Antetokounmpo be on the floor? That remains to be seen, though it's looking likelier the answer is yes.
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