Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss more time for the Milwaukee Bucks after leaving their win over Indiana with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise.
The two-time MVP did not play in Tuesday’s game against Cleveland. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said the imaging results were encouraging but stopped short of giving a timeline for his return.
“The good news is it was a really good image. There’s no damage, nothing. Just good news,” Rivers said. “But I don’t know the next part.”
Antetokounmpo hurt his knee Sunday during a 134-123 win over the Pacers after landing awkwardly on a dunk late in the third quarter. He did not play in the fourth period but downplayed the injury afterwards.
“I’m just going to go back home, sleep, see how I feel tomorrow,” he said after the game. “As of now, I’m not really bothered.”
Tuesday marked his 32nd missed game of the season, the most in any single season of his 13-year career. Milwaukee is 11-20 without him.
The Bucks entered Tuesday’s game 11th in the Eastern Conference, 5.5 games behind the 10th-place Charlotte Hornets. A 10th straight playoff berth is looking increasingly unlikely.
When asked at what point the risk of playing Antetokounmpo outweighs the potential reward, Rivers did not have a clear answer.
“That’s a good question,” he said. “I don’t have the answer, but it’s a very good question.”
Antetokounmpo has dealt with multiple injuries this season, including two separate right calf strains and a sprained left ankle that kept him out of Saturday’s loss in Atlanta.
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