The Milwaukee Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for at least the next week as he recovers from a left calf injury, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday.
Head coach Doc Rivers has officially ruled Antetokounmpo out of next weekend’s NBA All-Star Game, prioritizing his health over the showcase event.
A Precautionary Approach
The two-time MVP was already sidelined for Sunday’s 135-127 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and is set to miss upcoming matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before the All-Star break. This will mark six consecutive games missed for the Bucks’ superstar.
“We’ve been monitoring the injury, and it just hasn’t improved enough for him to play,” Rivers said. “If this was a playoff game, would he suit up? Probably yes. But we want to make sure he’s ready for the postseason, and that’s the priority.”
Projected Return
Antetokounmpo, who has been out since February 2, is expected to return soon after the break, sources reported. The Bucks’ first game post-break is scheduled for February 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rivers remains optimistic, stating:
“We’re really hoping that when we come out of the break, we have our full squad ready to go.”
Bucks’ Performance Without Giannis
The Bucks have felt the impact of Antetokounmpo’s absence this season. According to ESPN Research, the team’s stats show a clear difference when he is off the court:
| Category | With Giannis | Without Giannis |
|---|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 23-18 | 4-5 |
| Points Per Game | 115.4 | 108.7 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 49% | 45% |
| Points in the Paint | 45.1 | 34.9 |
| Opponent PPG | 113.4 | 108.9 |
The numbers highlight his importance on both ends of the floor, as the Bucks’ offense and paint presence take a noticeable hit in his absence.
All-Star Replacement
With Antetokounmpo ruled out, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select his replacement for the All-Star Game. Giannis was originally slated to play for Team Chuck, the squad drafted by Charles Barkley in the new four-team format.
Antetokounmpo had already missed one game last week with a right knee issue, but this new left calf injury has now extended his time away from the court.
MVP-Caliber Season
Before the injury, Antetokounmpo was dominating in his ninth consecutive All-Star season, averaging:
- 31.8 points per game (second in the NBA behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
- 12.2 rebounds per game
- 60.8% shooting from the field
This is not the first time a calf injury has sidelined him—he also missed Milwaukee’s first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers last season with a similar issue.
As the Bucks push for a deep playoff run, ensuring Giannis is fully healthy for the postseason remains their top priority.