The Milwaukee Bucks faced a critical moment on April 9th as All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a non-contact injury during their dominant win over the Boston Celtics. The Bucks, securing the No. 3 seed in the East, now face uncertainty as Antetokounmpo’s championship push hangs in the balance.

Antetokounmpo, a leading MVP candidate this season, has been instrumental for the Bucks with impressive averages of 30.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

The injury occurred as Antetokounmpo collapsed to the floor, clutching his left leg after attempting to jog up the court following an inbound pass.

How Long Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Out?

Despite trying to rise on his own, he required assistance from teammates and was helped to the sidelines before heading to the locker room. The Bucks announced that Antetokounmpo was diagnosed with a left calf strain following the game.

According to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks are anticipating Antetokounmpo to be out “for the start” of their first-round series against the Pacers. There remains hope for his return “sometime later in the series,” though specifics are unclear.

A subsequent MRI revealed that Antetokounmpo’s left Achilles tendon remains “fully intact,” and his return will depend on the healing of his calf strain, per Wojnarowski.

Certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts suggests that the typical recovery time for Antetokounmpo’s specific injury, a soleus strain, is around 17 days. Given the injury date of April 9th, this could potentially keep Antetokounmpo sidelined through at least Game 3 of the playoffs.

With Game 1 looming just five days away, the Bucks face a tight timeline for Antetokounmpo’s recovery. His absence during the regular season led to a 4-5 record for the Bucks, emphasizing his crucial role on the team.

Bucks fans and the NBA community await further updates on Antetokounmpo’s condition as the team navigates the postseason without their star forward.