Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to return to his team’s lineup for Monday night’s Game 4 against the Heat in the first round of the playoffs, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Antetokounmpo missed Games 2 and 3 with a lower back contusion but barring any major setback, Milwaukee will get its unquestioned leader back in a pivotal game.
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury in the first quarter of Game 1 when he fell hard on his back after attacking the basket. The Heat won that game, but the Bucks won Game 2. However, Miami has since taken the lead in the series thanks to a 121–99 victory in Game 3.
Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion) will not return to Game 1 of Bucks-Heat, per @ShamsCharania.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 16, 2023
Giannis sustained the injury on this collision with Kevin Love in the 1st quarter 🤕pic.twitter.com/ep8RFTvVfD
Milwaukee is the top seed in the NBA, but without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ playoff hopes are bleak. The seven-time All Star is an MVP finalist again after averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists during the regular season.
He’ll make his long-awaited return Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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