Game 2 of the Heat series will not include Antetokounmpo for the Bucks
On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Bucks were without the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 2 of their first-round series in the Eastern Conference against the Miami Heat.
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During his pregame briefing, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer announced that Antetokounmpo would not be able to play due to a lower back injury that caused him to leave the court during the team’s Game 1 loss on Sunday.
“(We were) hopeful that he would play and also aware that he might not,” Budenholzer said. “The guys are ready. The group’s focused and in a good place.”
On Tuesday, there was a report stating that Antetokounmpo’s injury was doubtful, however, on Wednesday, it was upgraded to questionable. Antetokounmpo left the game during the second quarter and did not return. The Bucks lost Game 1.
Budenholzer stated that the player had made progress, but after consultation with the sports performance group and the organization, it was decided that he would not be participating. The team will be relying on the players who are prepared and present to play. However, they will keep an eye on the injured player and hope that he will recover soon and be fit to play in the near future.
With just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter on Sunday, Antetokounmpo attempted to approach the basket but collided with Kevin Love from Miami. The play resulted in Love being called for a blocking foul.
Antetokounmpo fell down in an uncomfortable manner on his buttocks and remained on the ground for a while before standing up gradually. He persisted in the game to take his free throws and only departed after committing his second foul with 1:46 remaining in the initial quarter.
Antetokounmpo left the game and went to the locker room with 9:56 left in the second quarter. He later came back into the game but then returned to the locker room again with 8:33 left in the second quarter and did not play for the remainder of the game.
During the regular season, the Bucks had a record of 11-8 in games where Antetokounmpo was absent. This included two defeats in Miami, despite the fact that the Bucks won against the Heat 128-99 on Feb. 24, during which Antetokounmpo played for only six minutes before exiting due to a right knee problem.
According to Erik Spoelstra, the coach of the Miami Heat, the absence of Antetokounmpo is expected to alter the playing style of the Milwaukee Bucks to some extent. In the four times that the Bucks played against the Heat during the regular season, they made an average of 52.5 attempts from the 3-point line when Antetokounmpo was not playing, whereas they made 43 attempts when he was a part of the starting lineup.
The absence of Wesley Matthews was also felt by the Bucks, as he was unable to play due to a right calf strain after appearing in Game 1 for only 18 minutes. According to Budenholzer, Matthews sustained his injury during Sunday’s game.
Tyler Herro suffered a right-hand injury during Game 1 and was absent from the Heat’s lineup. He is scheduled for surgery on Friday and is not expected to rejoin the team unless they make it to the NBA Finals.
Bobby Portis was assigned to take the place of Antetokounmpo, who usually starts in Milwaukee’s lineup. Similarly, Duncan Robinson substituted for Herro as a starter in Miami.
Kyle Lowry, who had a sore left knee and was uncertain to play, will be ready to take the field on Wednesday.
Read more:
- Bucks’ Star Player Giannis Antetokounmpo Forced to Exit Game Early with Lower Back Injury Against Heat
- Miami Heat dominates Bucks in Game 1 with a 130-117 victory; Giannis, Herro injured
- Top 8 Milwaukee Bucks Rugs for NBA Fans