Among the several injuries that took place over the first few games of the postseason, the loss of Giannis Antetokounmpo may have had the biggest impact on the NBA bracket.
After injuring his back on a scary fall in Game 1, Giannis was clearly in a lot of pain as he left the arena. Now, the Bucks have announced that the 2x MVP is likely to miss Game 2, with his availability for the rest of the series also in doubt.
BREAKING: Giannis Antetokounmpo is ‘doubtful’ for tomorrow’s game vs Miami pic.twitter.com/h7mDII3oB0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 18, 2023
The Bucks can still take care of business without Giannis, as they have guys like Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton to help carry the load in his absence. Sadly, though, it puts them in a difficult position against the Heat, who are already up 1-0 in the series.
https://twitter.com/BeyondTheData/status/1648454809664757761https://twitter.com/agent_x23/status/1648458152088838151
Without Giannis, the Bucks are in some serious trouble. If they cannot win against the Heat at home on Wednesday, they will have to win one of the next two games in Miami just to keep their season alive.
Of course, Giannis will likely be back at some point before it’s all said and done but Heat fans are feeling a lot better about their chances to advance.
Bucks might be done for😭
— 𝒜𝒹𝓇𝒾✨ (@AdriCertified) April 18, 2023
Heat in 6
— ً (@fcjd_) April 18, 2023
The Bucks and Heat already have a history against each other. This year, though, the Heat came in as huge underdogs before the injury to Giannis. But if he’s compromised, and Miami finds a way to advance, who is to say they can’t make a run?
Can Heat Win The East Without Herro?
While the Bucks may not have Giannis, the Heat are also shorthanded with the absence of Tyler Herro after he broke his hand in Game 1. Without his shooting, it’s going to be tough for the Heat to generate points offensively, but Jimmy Butler is determined to find a way to get it done.
“You can’t fully make up what Tyler has been for our team all year long,” Butler said. “But guys gotta step up, including myself, including Bam, and whoever Spo calls upon to do an offensive assignment, a defensive assignment, to bring some energy, to dive on the floor, to get a loose ball or rebound. It’s all hands on deck at all times, and now more than ever.”
The Bucks are a team that many experts predicted to win the title this year, but the injury to Giannis puts that possibility in major jeopardy now.
Hopefully, he comes back and is able to play at full strength so fans don’t get robbed of incredible basketball this postseason.
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