On Sunday night the Milwaukee Bucks suffered a double punch to the face. Not only were they beaten by the Miami Heat in the home series opener, 130 to 117, but they also saw their best player suffer a back injury, with Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out of the game before halftime.
Fortunately, Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer gave good news after the game against Miami regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fitness.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer says Giannis Antetokounmpo had an X-ray that came back “clear.” “We’ll monitor him and see how he wakes up tomorrow.”
Bucks Coach, Mike Budenholzer, says Giannis Antetokounmpo had an X-ray that came back clear, per @JamalCollier. pic.twitter.com/R2s8JXGNLT
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 17, 2023
That leaves the door open for a potential return to action for Giannis as early as Game 2 of this first-round series in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday. Prior to leaving Game 1, Antetokounmpo had scored only 6 points, shooting on 2-of-4 from the field, with 3 rebounds and 1 lost ball in only 11 minutes of action on the court.
With the Greek Freak out for most of Game 1, Khris Middleton tried to carry the Bucks on his shoulders, finishing with 33 points, the result of an honest 12 of 20 shooting along with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Bobby Portis also played a larger role and finished with 21 points, putting up 9 of 15 shooting as well as capturing 8 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Read also: Grizzlies concerned about Ja Morant’s injury: in serious doubt for Game-2
