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Milwaukee Bucks are ‘optimistic’ Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Game 2 vs. Miami Heat despite listing him as doubtful after star missed Tuesday’s practice with a back injury
- Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion after a collision in Game 1
- When Antetokounmpo has missed time this season the Bucks have gone 11-8
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo missed practice on Tuesday and was listed by the team as doubtful for Game 2 of the playoff series against the Miami Heat – but optimism remains.
Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion after a collision with Heat forward Kevin Love.
‘We have 24-plus hours before game time, so he’ll get treatment,’ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Tuesday afternoon.
‘We’ll see how he feels. I think there’s been a lot of progress. Hopefully there’s more in the next day or so.’
Antetokounmpo has a history of making rapid recoveries from injuries.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was diagnosed with a lower back contusion after suffering a hard fall
Head coach Mike Budenholzer expressed optimism that his star player may still play in Game 2
Antetokounmpo hyperextended his right knee during the Eastern Conference finals and missed the final two games of the Bucks’ 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Hawks two years ago.
But he went on to be named the MVP of the NBA Finals after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and five assists in the 4-2 triumph over the Phoenix Suns, including a 50-point performance in the title-clinching win.
This season Antetokounmpo sprained his right wrist just before the All-Star break but was back in the starting lineup for the Bucks’ next game, just four days after heading to New York to have the wrist examined.
‘There’s an optimism,’ Budenholzer added Tuesday. ‘Time is a little bit on our side, but that equation will flip. But yeah, I would say we’re optimistic.’
Antetokounmpo is coming off another tremendous season that saw him average 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists along with 55.3 percent shooting from the field.
He was also named a finalist for this year’s MVP award, though that is expected to go to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
When Antetokounmpo has missed time this season the Bucks have gone 11-8.
Talented veterans Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez would be tasked with picking up the slack for their MVP candidate if Antetokounmpo is unable to play on Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo is coming off another tremendous season that saw him average 31.1 points
