NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will not suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo would not be available for Wednesday’s clash (Thursday AEST) due to the bruised lower back that knocked the two-time MVP out of the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss on Sunday.
“(We were) hopeful that he would play and also aware that he might not,” Budenholzer said.
“The guys are ready. The group’s focused and in a good place.”
Antetokounmpo left the Bucks’ Game 1 loss for good early in the second quarter.
“He’s continued to improve, but … talking and working with him and the sports performance group, the decision was made,” Budenholzer said.
“He’s out. The guys that are ready and the guys that are available are good to go.
“We’ll continue to monitor him and expect for him to improve and still continue to be optimistic that soon he’ll be ready to play.”
Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket with a little more than four minutes left in the first quarter on Sunday when he collided with Miami’s Kevin Love, who got called for a blocking foul on the play.
The Bucks man landed awkwardly and lay on the floor before getting up slowly.
After various breaks, he headed back to the locker room with 8:33 left in the second quarter and did not feature again.
Source: AAP
