The Bucks Face the Pacers in the Playoffs Without Antetokounmpo: Giannis’ Lingering Injury Keeps Him Out of Action for Game 1

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been absent from the Milwaukee Bucks’ Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers due to a lingering left calf strain. This injury has caused him to miss Game 1 and the Bucks’ last three regular-season games. The team’s coach, Doc Rivers, mentioned that their star forward is “getting closer” to returning as Antetokounmpo was seen shooting and practicing on the court before the game.

During an April 9 game against the Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo suffered the calf strain while struggling to run up the court in the third quarter. Since then, he has not played in any games. The Bucks have managed a 6-5 record in matches where Antetokounmpo was absent this season, including a 109-94 victory over the Pacers in Game 1, where Damian Lillard stepped up with an impressive 35 points scored, all in the first half.

Antetokounmpo has a history of dealing with injuries in the postseason. In 2020, he missed the final 1 1/2 games of a second-round loss against Miami due to a sprained ankle. He also sat out the last two games of the 2021 Eastern Conference finals because of a hyperextended knee but made a triumphant return to lead the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years. Antetokounmpo’s resilience was evident as he was named Finals MVP after scoring 50 points in a title-clinching Game 6 victory against