Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star undergoes MRI on calf, reportedly avoiding Achilles tendon injury

MILWAUKEE- Near the end of the third quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks' 104-91 win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game and did not return with what the team described as a left calf strain. Antetokounmpo's further status remains unclear. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo will have an MRI of his left leg to determine the severity of the injury.

“[The concern level is] high, I would say,” Rivers said. “He's Giannis.” I think everyone probably feels the same way I do right now. So we just hope for the best.”

On Wednesday morning, Shams Charania Antetokounmpo was reportedly able to avoid Achilles tendon damage in his left leg and his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment.

The Bucks have not yet provided an official update on their superstar.

“Any time you see one of your teammates go down, it’s a real concern,” Lillard said. “You know, we spend a lot of time together, more than with our families. I think that was No. 1, and then it was your best player, the most important part of our team.” At that point in our season, it was like an “Oh shit” moment, especially because no one else was around him and I just saw the look on his face, so I obviously got scared.

With just under four minutes left in the third period, Celtics guard Derrick White knocked down a three-pointer. After passing the ball to Damian Lillard, Antetokounmpo ran across the court and suddenly collapsed.

Antetokounmpo immediately grabbed his calf and remained on the ground under the care of the Bucks' medical staff. He eventually got to his feet and was helped off the field by his teammates. Cameras in the tunnel showed him walking toward the locker room under his own power, but with a noticeable limp.

Antetokounmpo has missed just six games this season but has battled nagging injuries in recent weeks. He most recently sat out April 5 against the Toronto Raptors due to left hamstring tendinopathy and was listed as probable for Tuesday's game due to the same issue.

How long Antetokounmpo will be sidelined remains to be seen. While no two players suffer or recover from an injury in the same way, Lillard suffered a strain of his soleus – the specific calf muscle that Antetokounmpo pulled – during the 2022-23 season. After the game, Lillard said he was out for two weeks.

“That shit hurt,” Lillard said of the injury. “I usually manage to deal with things. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance and once I got through it, I started running. It wasn't just because it was so painful, it was because the muscle just can't handle it. I think once it calmed down you kind of figured out how to deal with it, but it's a weird feeling.”

The Bucks have already secured a spot in the playoffs, but their placement has not yet been determined. After beating the Celtics, they are 48-31 this season and have a 1.5 game lead over the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The playoffs are scheduled to begin April 20, but the Bucks' opening series may not begin until April 21, depending on their schedule.

Until Antetokounmpo returns, whenever that may be, it will take a “collective effort” to win games, Khris Middleton said.

“Just encourage him to do the right thing, not to rush and risk more injury and make things worse,” Middleton said. “On our side, we just have to find a way to close the gap together. Nobody will replace someone like that.”