Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to Milwaukee Bucks practice on Saturday, joining the team for the first time this season after staying in Greece to recover from COVID-19.
Coach Doc Rivers said Giannis took part only in non-contact drills and will need a few days to regain full fitness.
“He said he’s going to need a good three days,” Rivers told reporters.
The 31-year-old star admitted the illness slowed him down:
“It took a toll on my body. I’m not feeling 100% yet physically… just taking it day by day, getting back in shape. I’ve got like 18 days until the first game so I think I’ll be fine.”
Giannis, entering his 13th season with Milwaukee, has averaged 30+ points in each of the last three campaigns — a feat matched only by Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Rivers noted that Giannis’ absence early in camp allowed the team to work on rotations without their leader:
“The key to our team every year is the minutes when Giannis is off the floor. Maybe this helps us in the long run.”
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