The reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has been ruled out for the Milwaukee Bucks' Saturday matchup against the Orlando Magic, according to Matt Velazquez of the Journal Sentinel. He has been dealing with back soreness that he suffered prior to the team's last game.
Behind a historic season from Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have coasted to a 28-5 record that ranks as the best in the entire league thus far. He is upstaging his own MVP season by averaging 30.5 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
The 25-year-old is arguably the NBA's top player and surrounded with talents like Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, the seventh-year pro has transformed Milwaukee into legitimate title contenders.
After missing the Bucks' matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Antetokoumpo will miss his second straight game for the first time since last March.
The Bucks faired more than well without their star last game as they easily took care of the Hawks 112-86. At 14-17, the Orlando Magic are currently holding on to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The team is coming off a big win over the Philadelphia 76ers but is just 4-11 away from home this season.
With Giannis Antetokoumpo out, veteran Ersan Ilyasova will likely get the start at the power forward spot. Despite averaging just 8.0 points per game this season, the 32-year-old dominated the Hawks with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
After Orlando, the Bucks will travel to Chicago to play the Bulls on December 30.
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