Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled OUT for Game 2 against Miami Heat with lower back contusion  

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Game 2 in the playoff series against the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion during Game 1 of the series after a rough fall following a collision with Heat forward Kevin Love. 

Miami currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series heading into Game 2.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said at his pregame availability that Antetokounmpo won’t be available due to the bruised lower back that knocked the two-time MVP out of the Bucks’ 130-117 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.’

Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out for Game 2 against the Miami Heat with a back injury

Antetokounmpo had been listed as doubtful in the injury report Tuesday but was upgraded to questionable Wednesday. Antetokounmpo left the Bucks’ Game 1 loss for good early in the second quarter.

‘He’s continued to improve, but organizationally and talking and working with him and the sports performance group, the decision was made,’ Budenholzer said. ‘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.’

Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter Sunday when he collided with Miami’s Kevin Love, who got called for a blocking foul on the play. 

He landed awkwardly on his backside and lay on the floor before getting up slowly. He stayed in the game to attempt his free throws and didn’t leave until picking up his second foul with 1:46 left in the first quarter.

Jimmy Butler (right) and the Miami Heat take a 1-0 lead into Game 2 against the Bucks 

Antetokounmpo then headed into the locker room, only to return to the game with 9:56 remaining in the second quarter. He headed back to the locker room with 8:33 left in the second quarter and didn’t play again.

The Bucks also won’t have Wesley Matthews, who is out with a right calf strain after playing 18 minutes in Game 1.

The Heat won’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his right hand in Game 1. Herro is undergoing surgery Friday and likely won’t return unless the Heat reach the NBA Finals.

Miami’s Kyle Lowry, who was listed as questionable with a sore left knee, will be available to play Wednesday.