Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo left the squad for his side’s 90-69 win against Estonia on Wednesday after appearing to suffer an ankle injury midway through the third quarter.
Although he did not return, head coach Dimitrios Itoudis said after the game he was “okay” and Antetokounmpo said he received ice and treatment after the game. Associated Press.
The Associated Press also reported that Antetokounmpo, who was visibly limping after the game, celebrated with his teammates on the court after the game and shook hands with Estonian players and coaches.
SPORT24’s Harris Stavrou and The Athletic’s Eric Nehm provided details shortly after the illness broke out.
Harris Stavrow @harris_stavrou
Giannis told medical staff that the play tweaked his ankle. As Eric correctly pointed out, it’s not his knee. https://t.co/75iwigyfiB
After leaving the game, Antetokounmpo had a cold right knee that caused him some trouble recently.
euro hoops @euro hoop net
Giannis sits on a Greek bench with ice on his lap.his game is over pic.twitter.com/1iTqPlbk3f
Antetokounmpo started the match and led Greece to a 51-36 halftime lead and a breakup.
He finished the game with 25 points in 19 minutes.
The 27-year-old was ruled out of Greece’s EuroBasket match against Great Britain on Monday with knee discomfort, but Itudis Said It was “no big deal”.He also experienced knee and back pain, but had an MRI in August. came back clean.
He returned to play against Ukraine on Tuesday.
Despite being known for his physical strength, Antetokounmpo has missed 10 or more regular-season games for the fourth straight season. He missed his 15 games in his 2021-22 season.
A six-time All-Star, he is arguably the most dominant player in the NBA. He averaged a career-best 29.9 points last season on a 55.3% shot from the field, while he added 11.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.
Antetokounmpo has built a Hall of Fame career. He has won his two-time NBA MVP and his 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award, and will lead the Bucks to his NBA championship in 2021.
Thankfully, Antetokounmpo’s ankle injury did not appear to be serious and his knee did not interfere with Wednesday’s dominance.
His next opportunity to play will come in Sunday’s Round of 16, after Greece are 5-0 in group play.
