Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out of Game 3 vs. Heat With Back Injury

The Bucks will once again be without their star on Saturday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been sidelined for the better part of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Heat while nursing a back injury he sustained early in Game 1. 

Ahead of Game 3 on Saturday, Milwaukee provided an update on Antetokounmpo’s status. 

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Saturday’s tilt, marking his second consecutive absence for the Bucks. 

Antetokounmpo went down in Milwaukee in Game 1 after a collision with Kevin Love in the first quarter. He played just 11 minutes in the game before making his exit due to the injury, which has kept him sidelined ever since.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) has been ruled OUT for Game 3 vs. the Heat tonight pic.twitter.com/oRh1ZpyjR3

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 22, 2023

The series is knotted up at 1–1 and with two consecutive road games looming for the Bucks, they’ll certainly be missing the presence of their MVP candidate out on the court.

With Antetokounmpo absent in Game 2, Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday stepped up to carry the scoring load for Milwaukee. Lopez dropped a team-high 25 points on an efficient 12-of-17 shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Holiday had 24 points and 11 assists in the 138–122 victory.

The Bucks will look to lean on those two, as well as Khris Middleton—who scored 33 points in Game 1—as they look pick up a win on the road in Miami.

As for Antetokounmpo, his next chance to play will come on Monday, April 24 in Game 4.