Trending Now - Giannis Out for a Week Amid Tensions With Bucks Management
WHO:
Shams Charania (ESPN), Doc Rivers (Bucks head coach), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, Shams Charania (ESPN), Doc Rivers (Bucks head coach), Charlotte Hornets, Myles Turner (Bucks player), Jon Horst (Bucks general manager)
WHAT:
The Bucks announced on March 17th, 2026, that Antetokounmpo would be sidelined with a left knee injury.
Antetokounmpo has missed 32 games this season, the most of his career, due to various injuries including strains in his right calf.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 25.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the six games since his return on March 2nd, 2026.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise.
Antetokounmpo will miss at least one week due to his injury.
The Bucks have approached Antetokounmpo about shutting him down for the remainder of the season.
Antetokounmpo has missed 32 games this season, the most of his career.
The Bucks are currently 28-40 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Charlotte Hornets by 6½ games for the final play-in tournament spot.
The Bucks are 11-21 without Antetokounmpo and 17-19 when he plays this season.
Antetokounmpo has averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 36 games this season.
WHERE:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (home games), Salt Lake City, Utah (upcoming game location)
WHEN:
The Bucks' next game is scheduled for March 19th, 2026, against the Utah Jazz.
The injury occurred during the third quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers on March 15th, 2026.
The Bucks' next game is scheduled for March 19th, 2026.
The NBA regular season has less than a month remaining as of March 2026.
WHY:
The Bucks believe it would be in their best interest for Antetokounmpo to sit out due to their dwindling postseason chances, currently trailing the Charlotte Hornets by 6½ games for the final play-in tournament spot.
The Bucks believe it would be in their best interest for Antetokounmpo to sit out due to their dwindling postseason chances.
Antetokounmpo wants to play as long as he is not risking further injury.
HOW:
Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly after a dunk during the third quarter of the Bucks’ 134-123 win over the Indiana Pacers on March 15th, 2026.
Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly after a dunk during the game against the Pacers.
An MRI was conducted on Antetokounmpo's knee, which showed no structural damage.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 01:25 UTC)
The Milwaukee Bucks announced on March 17 that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined with a left knee injury, marking the 32nd game he has missed this season due to various injuries. Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 25.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the six games since his return on March 2, landed awkwardly after a dunk during the Bucks' recent 134 to 123 victory over the Indiana Pacers last Monday. With their postseason chances dwindling, the Bucks believe it’s best for Antetokounmpo to sit out as they prepare for their game against the Utah Jazz today.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 23:12 UTC)
In a significant blow to the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise, which will sideline him for at least a week. The injury occurred during the third quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers last Monday, and the Bucks are now considering shutting him down for the remainder of the season as they currently sit at 28-40, trailing the Charlotte Hornets by six and a half games for the final play-in tournament spot. Antetokounmpo has already missed 32 games this season, the most of his career, and while he has averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the games he has played, the team is just 11-21 without him on the court.