Bucks' two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 1 against Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS -- Two-time MVP and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as doubtful for Game 1 of the No. 3 seed Bucks' NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the No. 6 seed Pacers at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers said in his pre-game press conference that he is out. He said he's not sure when Antetokounmpo will be available.
"That I don't have," Rivers said when asked if he had a timeline for his return. "... Giannis has done a lot of work. He's shooting. He's running again. But he hasn't been able to participate, so we've prepared this week with what we have."
Antetokounmpo suffered a strained left soleus -- a calf muscle -- during the Bucks' win over the Celtics on April 9 and missed the last three games of the regular season. It had been reported that the Bucks are expecting him to miss the early part of the series but that they expect him to return later. For television purposes, the first round of the playoffs is relatively drawn out. Game 7 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for May 4.
Antetokounmpo has an outside chance at a third MVP honor this year and will most likely be part of the All-NBA first team, which would put him on an All-NBA team for the eighth time. He averaged 30.4 points on 61.1% shooting along with 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists this season. He was particularly dominant against the Pacers, averaging 42.2 points per game in their five outings, including a 64- and 54-point performance, though the Pacers won four of the five games in the series.
The Pacers spent the week working to be prepared for the Bucks whether Antetokounmpo is available or not.
"Obviously he's one of the best players in the world," Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton said after practice Saturday. "I think you have to prepare the right way. Because I think if you prepare like he's not gonna play, and then he does play, it's probably harder to adjust. I would say we're preparing what would be most difficult for us, obviously having Giannis on the floor. ... We've been running through every set with him playing vs. with him not playing. Who knows what can happen over the course of a series. He's a freak of nature, one of the greatest athletes in the world. If he played tomorrow, it wouldn't surprise me at all."
As great as Antetokounmpo is, they know the Bucks are still a tough out without him in part because Bobby Portis will be starting in his place and Portis made a good case for Sixth Man of the Year honors. The 6-10 forward averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds this season off the bench and shot 38.1% from the floor.
"The game that they did beat us in Milwaukee, I think that he really impacted the game," Haliburton said. "Just his presence on the floor, him scoring the ball, his tenacity, what he does defensively. Obviously I got to play with him this summer on Team USA. I love the guy, love how he competes. I think that's what he brings to the table that's difficult to match."
The Pacers have a clean injury report other than guard Bennedict Mathurin, who has been out for the season since surgery to repair a torn labrum in early March.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Giannis Antetokounmpo listed as doubtful for Game 1 against Pacers
