Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Playing? Full Pacers vs Bucks Injury Report

Ricardo Klein | Dec 31, 2024

Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) reach for a loose ball in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers will take on their division rivals, the Milwaukee Bucks, in their final game of 2024. Indiana will host the Bucks, who will have their superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo active.

The Bucks have made Antetokounmpo available for Tuesday's game.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers tells reporters that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play today vs. the Pacers. https://t.co/v81Noi5zBE

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) December 31, 2024

Antetokounmpo will be on the court for the first time in 11 days. He missed the last four games due to an illness. The forward was able to practice without limitations Monday, and head coach Doc Rivers said he doesn't anticipate any restrictions in terms of minutes.

The last time Antetokounmpo was on the court was on Dec. 20 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was his MVP in that contest, as he recorded 33 points and 14 rebounds. Overall, Antetokounmpo has been solid this season, averaging 32.7 points per game, 11.6 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game, and 1.5 blocks per game, shooting 61 percent from the field in 24 games and 35.0 minutes of action. 

The last time Antetokounmpo missed more than four games in a row came in Jan. 2023. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they'll play the Bucks at full strength. The Pacers are coming off an incredible win over their conference rivals, the Boston Celtics. They played a complete game against arguably the best team in the league and the defending champions.

Indiana will look to move back to .500 and get into the new year with a win under their belt. Although the Bucks will be healthy, the Pacers will be relatively healthy. They will only be without their forward, Aaron Nesmith. Other than that, they will have their top players available.

Pacers forward Obi Toppin, who was listed as questionable due to an ankle issue, is active for Tuesday's match.

The Pacers are 2-2 against division opponents. Indiana has a 5-10 record in games decided by 10 or more points. As for the Bucks, they are 5-5 against the rest of the division.

The Pacers make 48.8 percent of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.5 percentage points higher than the Bucks have allowed to their opponents (45.3 percent). Indiana has been great in its last 10 games, holding a 7-3 record. They have averaged 117.6 points, 43.9 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 7.2 steals, and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Its opponents have averaged 113.4 points per game.

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