Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo crumpled to the court with a right calf strain about three minutes into the first quarter and was ruled out for the rest of Wednesday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum.
Head coach Doc Rivers said afterward that Antetokounmpo would have an MRI but that the Bucks have ruled out the possibility of an Achilles injury.
After delivering a jump pass for an assist to Bucks guard AJ Green with 9 minutes remaining in the opening period, Antetokounmpo fell to the floor while trying to get back on defense and remained on the court. He checked his right leg and nearly slammed his hand on the floor before he sat with his elbows on his knees and his hands crossed.
The injury initially appeared to be noncontact, but Rivers said afterward that he saw Antetokounmpo get bumped by Pistons center Jalen Duren on his drive, which threw him off-balance shortly before he fell to the floor.
Antetokounmpo had to be helped off the court by his teammates and walked gingerly to the bench before he headed to the locker room. He scored two points with a rebound and an assist. The Bucks went on to win 113-109.
Antetokounmpo missed four games last month with a left groin strain but played the Bucks’ past three games before Wednesday.
The injury occurred amid an ESPN report that Antetokounmpo is mulling his future with the Bucks. Sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are having conversations with the team and discussing whether his best fit is in Milwaukee or elsewhere.
Rivers said before Wednesday’s game that “there’s been no conversations” and that Antetokounmpo “loves Milwaukee and he loves the Bucks.”
