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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, but he has been progressing in his return from a hyperextended knee. It sure seems like Giannis will play at some point in this series.
Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry suggested as much on Tuesday ahead of Game 1. Lasry addressed Antetokounmpo's status and said he's “pretty sure” we'll see him return. It's just a matter of when not if:
Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry says it's up to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the team's medical staff if he'll play in Game 1 of the Finals against the Suns.
"I'm pretty sure he'll play in the series," he said on CNBC today. "The question is when."— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) July 6, 2021
It would be surprising if Giannis plays in Game 1, and Game 2 in Phoenix might even be a stretch with just one day off between games. However, there's two days off between Games 2 and 3 as the teams travel to Milwaukee, so The Greek Freak returning for Game 3 at home seems like a decent bet.
The Bucks stepped up to the plate without Antetokounmpo in Games 5 and 6 against the Atlanta Hawks, but it's going to be a totally different challenge against a healthy Suns team in these first two games on the road. Remember, the Hawks didn't have Trae Young in Game 5 and got a hobbled version of him in Game 6. The Suns have their rotation intact and a raucous home crowd behind them.
If Milwaukee is able to steal one of these first two games on the road, it would be absolutely massive as Giannis gets healthy. The Bucks are still a very talented team without him, so don't put it past them. But it's going to be a tall order against a Suns team that has clicked all playoffs.
