Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss final three games of regular season with calf strain

Wednesday update: Even though Antetokounmpo avoided an Achilles injury, he’s going to miss the final three games of the regular season dealing with a calf strain. The Bucks have clinched a playoff spot but they are not locked into a seed yet. Only 2.5 games separate Milwaukee from Indiana in 6th place, so there’s a real possibility the Bucks could be the No. 6 seed if they lose out. They have two games against the Magic and one against the Thunder, so the schedule isn’t easy. Of course, the primary concern is Antetokounmpo being healthy for the playoffs but given how the Bucks have limped toward the end of the season, I think this could be a tricky spot for the team.

Wednesday update: Antetokounmpo avoided any damage to his Achilles, which is a huge sigh of relief for the Bucks and their fans. The Greek Freak is unlikely to play in the rest of the regular season and has an extra week to heal thanks to the play-in tournament.

Update: Antetokounmpo will undergo a MRI for his calf strain, and he was walking out of the arena with a noticeable limp. However, the fact that he’s not in a walking boot and isn’t needing any assistance from training staff is a great sign regarding his long-term outlook.

Update: It’s officially a calf injury for Antetokounmpo, and naturally that leads people to believe he could’ve injured his Achilles tendon. It’s unlikely the Bucks will release any information Tuesday regarding his status but hopefully he’s just had a minor calf strain and nothing more.

Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had to be helped to the locker room after suffering a non-contact leg injury Tuesday against the Boston Celtics. Antetokounmpo was running up the floor and grabbed the back of his leg suddenly. It’s hard to tell whether he was having a knee or calf issue, but hopefully this isn’t a serious setback. He had 15 points, seven assists and eight rebounds at the time of his exit.

The Bucks have a double-digit lead on the Celtics at the start of the fourth quarter, so it’s possible they’ll be able to hold Antetokounmpo out and still win this game. Non-contact injuries are unpredictable, so there likely won’t be any information until the following day if Antetokounmpo does not return.

If the Greek Freak is sidelined for a long time, look for Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to be the primary scorers for Milwaukee. Players like Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley will also have to step up offensively for the Bucks to make up Antetokounmpo’s scoring. Brook Lopez and Portis will likely be the starting frontcourt combination in this situation. The Bucks have clinched a playoff spot so there’s no possibility of having to play in the play-in tournament, which would give Antetokounmpo some extra time off if he needs it.