Giannis Antetokounmpo’s knee injury: Bucks star upgraded to questionable for NBA Finals 1 game against Suns

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With Game One of the 2021 NBA Finals looming, the Milwaukee Bucks still aren’t sure if they’ll include Giannis Antetokounmue in the line-up when they face the Phoenix Suns, but things look more promising as the alarm clock approaches.

The MVP twice suffered a severely stretched left knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, and although he avoided any structural damage, he hasn’t played since. Although initially listed as suspect, it was promoted into question in Tuesday afternoon’s injury report released by the Bucks.

The superstar is making progress and spent Monday performing a solo workout that was monitored by an “army of watchers,” according to NBA Television’s Jared Greenberg. “So far they are still not sure if Giannis will be able to leave or not,” Greenberg added. “But as it was described to me, Giannis is going to fight with his teeth and nails to be in the squad.”

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After the back-to-back win over the Hawks, coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters it was a “daily” situation. His full quote:

“I mean, [Giannis] And the Sports Performance team, they’ve been together for a long time. It is special watching their relationship. It is special watching the contacts, and the confidence he has. You have to listen to the player and then you have to listen to the sports performance group, and at some point John Hurst and I are part of the conversations, but it’s just an everyday thing. We will update it as appropriate. The conversations between me, him and the sports performance group, are kind of private and we’ll see where he is every day.

Finally, things seem to be progressing towards Giannis’ return at some point in the series, and his promotion to Doubtful for Game 1 is a positive sign that his return may be around the corner. If he’s able to dress, it would obviously be a huge boost to the Bucks’ chances of securing their first title since 1971.

The injury occurred in the third quarter of Match 4, when Giannis went up to block an alley attempt by Clint Capella and fell awkwardly on his left leg. He remained on the field for several moments after the fall, before his brother Thanasis and medical staff helped him off the field. After a brief return to the Bucks bench during the third quarter, he eventually returned to the locker room and was disqualified for the remainder of the match.

You can watch the play where the injury occurred below:

The Bucks proved in games 5 and 6 against the Falcons that they are still a formidable team even without their best player. But as they prepare for their first Finals appearance in nearly 50 years, there’s no doubt they’d rather do it with Giannis on the court.

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