Giannis Antetokounmpo has now missed two consecutive games in the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round series against the Miami Heat. They won one of those but then lost Game 3 on Saturday night, putting them in a precarious position.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an MVP candidate, and not having him is a massive loss for the Bucks. So fans have been wondering when or if he will be able to return to the court during this series. Mike Budenholzer provided an update after their latest loss.
“We’ll continue to monitor him through the day tomorrow, through [Monday],” Mike Budenholzer told The Athletic. “These things, I don’t think it’s always just this linear thing and he’s not in a place that he can go. So, we’ll continue to monitor him…and hope for the best.”
This is a concerning update seeing as the next game is almost a must-win for the Bucks. They are down 2-1 in the series already, and even if Giannis returns for Game 5, three straight elimination games will be a difficult situation for the team.
In this regular season, Giannis has averaged over 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. When he is on the floor, teams have to pack the paint to stop him from getting what he wants, leading to better spacing for the team. His defense is even more crucial in a series where Miami has scored with impunity.
Could The Milwaukee Bucks Win Game 4 Without Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Considering the current situation, it would make sense for the Bucks to prepare for their next game as if Giannis is not going to be available. The team was picked by NBA players when asked who would win the championship, and that was because of more than just Antetokounmpo’s presence. They have Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis, among others, who will have to step up.
To win Game 4 without Giannis, they will need all the other players to step up as they did in Game 2. Six players scored 16 or more points in that game, and that’s the kind of performance they will need. The one thing that needs to also improve is their defense. The Heat were one of the lowest-scoring teams in the regular season, but they have scored more than 120 points in all three games so far. If the team can come together to play tough defense and share the rock, they could get the job done.
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