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Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Out vs. Celtics, Helped to Locker Room After Calf Injury

Paul Kasabian

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered what appeared to be a scary looking injury during Tuesday's game against the Boston Celtics:

Antetokounmpo went down after a non-contact injury before being helped to the locker room by teammates. The team quickly ruled him out with a calf strain.

Head coach Doc Rivers said after the game that the superstar will undergo an MRI on his calf before offering his own thoughts on the situation:

The two-time NBA MVP has averaged 30.4 points on 61.1 percent shooting, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game this season. He's an invaluable member of the team, and replacing his production would be impossible.

Thankfully, the Bucks haven't played without him too much in 2023-24.

Antetokounmpo missed games against the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics on March 17 and 20, respectively, with left hamstring tendinopathy. He previously missed a game apiece earlier season for a right calf strain, a bruised right shoulder and left Achilles tendinitis.

However, the Bucks do have players who are more than capable of holding their own in his absence. Bobby Portis sees more run without Antetokounmpo, and Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez get usage bumps in his absence as well.

Lillard in particular becomes the focal point of the offense sans Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks are trying to win their second championship in four years. They entered the day second in the Eastern Conference with a 47-31 record.

Beating the East-leading Celtics in the playoffs will be a tall order, and the Bucks also could face challenges from other tough teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.

They aren't likely to advance deep in the playoffs without a healthy Antetokounmpo. But with him, a second championship is certainly possible as they enter the stretch run.

   

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