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NBA Rumors: Giannis Avoids Achilles Damage Following Injury in Bucks' Win vs. Celtics

Timothy Rapp

The Milwaukee Bucks received positive news regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury Wednesday.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the superstar forward avoided damage to his Achilles after leaving Tuesday's matchup with the Boston Celtics in the third quarter with a leg injury.

Charania added Antetokounmpo's return-to-play timeline will be determined by how his calf responds to treatment and rehab.

It appeared Antetokounmpo suffered a potentially devastating injury against the Celtics when he crumpled to the floor without contact in the third quarter.

Non-contact injuries tend to be serious, and while the Bucks classified it as a left calf strain after the game, the fear was that it would ultimately be deemed more serious. Head coach Doc Rivers told reporters the concern level was "high" after the game.

"But he's Giannis," he continued. "I think everyone probably feels the same way as I do right now. We're just going [to] hope for the best."

"Any time you see one of your teammates go down, it's I think a real level of concern," Damian Lillard added. "We spend a lot of time around each other, more than we would our families. I think that was the No. 1 thing. And then for it to be your best player, the most important part of our team, at this point in the season, it was like an, 'Oh, [damn]' moment, especially because there was nobody else around."

Losing Giannis would tank Milwaukee's championship aspirations. The 29-year-old is averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game, remaining one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

That made Wednesday's news regarding his injury a major relief, though there isn't much time for Antetokounmpo to get back to full strength before the Bucks open the playoffs next week.

   

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