The Milwaukee Bucksare still adjusting to life without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains sidelined as he works his way back from a calf strain – but they might not have to wait too much longer to see the star back on the court.
The former MVP has not appeared in a game since late January, and while there is still no official return date, recent updates suggest that steady progress is being made behind the scenes.
Head coach Doc Rivers offered a glimpse into where Antetokounmpo stands in his recovery.
“He’s done some 3-on-3, 4-on-4. We don’t really need to go to 5-on-5. It doesn’t go from 3 to 4 to 5. It’s usually 4-on-4 is pretty good…No setbacks,” Rivers said via Eri Nehm of The Athletic.
Rivers made it clear that a jump to full five-on-five work is not necessarily required before a player is cleared, noting that four-on-four activity is often enough to gauge readiness. Most importantly, there have been no setbacks during this ramp-up process.
Bucks balancing patience with playoff urgency
Milwaukee’s medical staff and coaching group appear committed to taking a cautious approach. Antetokounmpo has dealt with calf-related injuries in previous seasons, so ensuring that he is fully healthy before returning to live game action is a priority. Though he has been visible during pregame workouts and continues to increase his on-court activity, the team understands the risk of bringing him back too soon.
Despite his absence, the Bucks have managed to stay competitive. Role players have stepped into expanded responsibilities, and recent performances have helped keep Milwaukee within striking distance in the standings. In a recent win over the Miami Heat, Kevin Porter Jr. delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, finishing with 32 points while adding seven rebounds and seven assists.
Still, there is no question that Milwaukee’s ceiling rises dramatically when its franchise star is on the floor. The Bucks are aiming to position themselves for a late-season push, but climbing the standings will require both internal consistency and favorable results elsewhere. Securing a Play-In Tournament opportunity remains within reach, though the margin for error is slim.
Antetokounmpo missed Tuesday’s 128-117 win over Miami, and the organization has not provided a definitive timetable for his return. Until that changes, Kyle Kuzma is expected to continue starting at power forward as the Bucks navigate the second half of the schedule with cautious optimism.
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