Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the final three games of the regular season with a calf injury, diagnosed as a strain:
Giannis has largely stayed healthy this season, but he gave the Bucks a scare on Tuesday when he exited their game against the Boston Celtics with a non-contact injury.
There was initially concern that Antetokounmpo was dealing with something major, such as a torn Achilles, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski later reported that he had suffered a calf strain.
Giannis will finish the season averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game—MVP-caliber numbers, to be sure.
The 29-year-old veteran has been named an All-Star in each of the past eight seasons, plus he is a two-time NBA MVP, one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, one-time NBA champion and one-time NBA Finals MVP.
With Giannis leading the way, the Bucks are currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 48-31 record, putting them in prime position to potentially go on a deep playoff run.
Their ability to do so will almost certainly depend on Giannis' health, however, since he is the one player who makes the Bucks go.
Milwaukee does boast a deep and talented roster beyond Antetokounmpo, but it will take a group effort to make up for his absence if he continues to miss time.
All-Star guard Damian Lillard will be the Bucks' unquestioned go-to guy on the offensive end until Giannis returns, while Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez and Malik Beasley will be tasked with stepping up as well.
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