Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers revealed that Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting closer to returning from his injury and expressed a sense of relief within the team after rumors circulated about the potential trade of the two-time MVP. The 31-year-old forward will remain with the Bucks following Thursday’s trade deadline, and Rivers noted that other players were energized and “flying around the gym” once it was confirmed that Giannis would stay.
Antetokounmpo has only played in 30 games this season due to injuries, with his last appearance being on January 23, when he suffered a calf strain. Rivers stated, “He’ll play if he’s healthy. He’s getting close to that,” adding that Giannis has been training hard and looking strong, so he hopes the return comes sooner rather than later.
The Bucks secured a 105-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, marking their third consecutive win, yet they remain 12th in the NBA Eastern Conference standings. They are currently three wins behind the Charlotte Hornets, who hold the final playoff spot. Without Giannis, the Bucks have a 6-14 record, but they have managed to win 15 out of 30 games when he has been on the court.
This season, Antetokounmpo has averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting an impressive 65%, which earned him a place in the NBA All-Star Game. He completed on-court workouts before the last three Bucks games and, after the trade deadline passed, posted a video clip from the film “The Wolf of Wall Street” with the caption, “Legends don’t chase, they pull.”
“I’m relieved,” Rivers said. “I thought Giannis’ tweet was something that united all the players.”
Fan Take:
This news is a huge boost for Bucks fans and basketball lovers alike, as Giannis’s return could dramatically shift the playoff race in the East. His presence on the court doesn’t just impact the Bucks’ performance—it raises the level of competition and excitement across the league.
