Giannis Antetokounmpo was injured in Game 1 against the Miami Heat on April 16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said Wednesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat.
Tuesday’s injury report listed the two-time MVP as doubtful for Game 2, but an updated injury report released Wednesday afternoon had Antetokounmpo considered questionable before Budenholzer made the final decision.
Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo was upgraded on Wednesday because he was “getting better every day” and “continuing to improve”.
Antetokounmpo walked out of the Bucks’ 130-117 loss in Sunday’s Game 1 with a lower back bruise. The star drove to the basket with a little over four minutes left in the first quarter when he collided with Miami’s Kevin Love, who was called out for a blocking foul in the game.
Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly on his butt and lay down on the ground before slowly getting up. He stayed in the game to attempt his free throws and only left when he canceled his second foul at 1:46 in the first quarter.
Antetokounmpo then went to the dressing room to get back in the game in the second quarter with 9:56 left. He returned to the dressing room at 8:33 in the second quarter and stopped playing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.