Bucks Zone

Mike Budenholzer talks about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury: "We'll just hope for the best"

Giannis Antetotokounmpo missed his second straight game due to lower back contusion.

Matthew Dugandzic

Mike Budenholzer talks about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury: "We'll just hope for the best"
Mike Budenholzer talks about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury: "We'll just hope for the best" /
In this story:
Mike Budenholzer / © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Hopes were high that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be able to play in Game 3 of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round series against the Miami Heat on Saturday night. That hope fizzled when Antetokounmpo showed up in Game 3 in street clothes, as he missed his second straight game due to a lower back contusion.

The Bucks felt the absence of Antetokounmpo as they lost 121-99 to fall to a 1-2 in the series.

Hoping for the best

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer couldn’t give specifics as to when Giannis could probably return.

“I think we’ll continue to monitor him through the day tomorrow, through the day the next day. These things, I don’t think it’s always just this linear thing, and he’s not in a place that he can go. So, we’ll just continue to monitor him, work with him, and hope for the best,” Budenholzer said per a report by Eric Nehm of the Athletic.

Budenholzer curtly replied “yes” when asked if there has been any progress in the Antetokounmpo’s recovery. The Bucks' coach also refused to answer when asked if there are things that Giannis couldn’t do on the court.

“I couldn’t give you a specific thing or anything along those lines. I appreciate the question, respect it, but he’s just not ready to go. We’re going to continue to monitor him and see how he does the next day or two,” Budenholzer said.

During the team’s practice, it was reported that Antetokounmpo was able to do individual workouts but failed to perform team stuff.

The bucks badly need the Greek Freak

Giannis hurt his back in the first quarter of Game 1, which the Heat won 130-117. The Bucks were able to survive his absence in Game 2 and win 138-122.

Needless to say, the Bucks are in a must-win situation when Game 4 takes place in Miami on Monday. An announcement on whether or not Giannis will finally suit up for that crucial game is going to be a much-awaited one.

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.