MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ongoing saga took a disappointing turn Friday as the two-time MVP had to exit the Milwaukee Bucks’ narrow 102-100 defeat against the Denver Nuggets with just 34 seconds remaining, due to a right calf injury. Antetokounmpo is set to undergo an MRI on Saturday, and early indications suggest he could be sidelined for four to six weeks, potentially ruling him out through the February 5 trade deadline. The precise timetable will be confirmed once the diagnostic imaging is complete.
“I felt discomfort throughout the game and didn’t want to stop playing, but by the end, I simply couldn’t move and had no choice,” said Antetokounmpo. “It was very painful having to stop.” Earlier in December, he missed over three weeks with a right soleus muscle strain and was still on a minutes restriction during Friday’s game. It’s unclear when exactly the injury was aggravated, but Giannis noticeably lacked his usual explosiveness. Despite these limitations, he scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists, hitting half of his field goals and converting 14 of 16 free throws.
The Bucks were down by 23 points early in the fourth quarter but rallied impressively to narrow the gap to just one point in the final moments. However, Antetokounmpo left the game with 34 seconds left and did not return.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers admitted he was concerned about Giannis’ condition. “I didn’t like what I saw personally,” he said. “Giannis was determined to keep playing. There was one play where I saw him trying to run down the court, but I had enough and decided to pull him. He actually wanted to go back in, but I said no.”
This isn’t the first time calf issues have affected Antetokounmpo. Besides a recent right calf strain, he missed over two weeks last season due to a left calf strain, which also kept him out of the All-Star Game, and the end of the regular season plus playoffs in 2024 due to a left calf injury. “It’s not good,” Rivers added. “This calf problem keeps reoccurring, and it’s concerning. I’m not a doctor, but it’s a persistent issue that troubles all of us.”
After the game, Giannis showed visible frustration in the locker room. “The next step is probably an MRI tomorrow. From my experience, they’ll confirm it’s my calf or soleus, and I expect to be out for four to six weeks,” he said. “Then, I’ll focus on recovery and hope to return by late February or early March. I just want the team to be in a position to fight for the play-ins or playoffs whenever I get back.”
The duration of his absence remains uncertain, but a lengthy layoff would be a major setback. The Bucks have lost six of their last eight games, sitting at a season-low eight games below .500, currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-26 record, 2.5 games behind the final play-in spot held by the Atlanta Hawks.
Milwaukee doesn’t have control over their 2026 first-round pick but will receive the less favorable of their own or the New Orleans Pelicans’ pick. Since the Pelicans have one of the worst records, the Bucks could still land a lottery position.
Meanwhile, speculation swirls around Antetokounmpo’s future as trade rumors heat up ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. Insider Brian Windhorst noted this week, “Giannis is a major topic at the trade deadline… The entire league is watching.”
Giannis’ potential extended injury not only jeopardizes Milwaukee’s playoff aspirations but could also shake up trade plans across the league, making this a pivotal moment in the NBA season.
Fan Take: This development is huge for NBA fans because Giannis is one of the game’s most dominant players, and his absence could alter the Bucks’ title hopes and shake up the trade market. How the Bucks manage without him will be critical and could redefine the Eastern Conference battle moving forward.
