Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 with lower-back injury

Last updated: 2023/04/20 at 12:07 AM

BigP Published April 20, 2023

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as out for Game 2 of their first-round matchup against the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo fell awkwardly in Game 1 and injured his lower back, leaving the game at the 1:46 mark of the first quarter. He re-entered the game early in the second quarter only to exit again shortly after. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said at his pregame availability that Antetokounmpo won’t be available due to the bruised lower back.

“(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.”

Added Budenholzer: “He’s continued to improve, but organizationally and talking and working with him and the sports performance group, the decision was made. He’s out. The guys that are ready and the guys that are available are good to go. We’ll continue to monitor him and expect for him to improve and still continue to be optimistic that soon he’ll be ready to play.”

The Bucks will look to regroup after falling to the Heat at home in Game 1, 130-117. Prior to the injury, Antetokounmpo scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in 11 minutes.

Antetokounmpo missed 19 games during the regular season, and the Bucks put together a respectable 11-8 record without the MVP finalist, including a 7-2 mark at home. However, two of those losses — both on the road — came at the hands of Miami.

In the playoffs, the Bucks are 2-1 all-time without Antetokounmpo — with their lone loss coming against Miami in the 2020 Eastern Conference semis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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