Giannis Antetokounmpo has managed to play just 10:50 of a possible 144 minutes in the Bucks' series with the Heat after a lower back injury in Game 1 knocked him out of the next two games.
Miami has a 2-1 series lead over the Stags, and Mike Budenholzer addressed Antetokounmpo's status before Game 4.
“I think we’ll continue to monitor him through the day tomorrow, through the day the next day. These things, I don’t think it’s always just this linear thing, and he’s not in a place that he can go. So, we’ll just continue to monitor him, work with him, and hope for the best,” Budenholzer said per a report by Eric Nehm of the Athletic.
This season, "the Greek freak" has missed 21 games (in regular season and play-offs) with the Bucks' record being 12-9.
Here is the full line of questioning about Giannis Antetokounmpo's availability for Game 4, led by @JamalCollier: pic.twitter.com/yQ5D6L8vSA
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 23, 2023
Budenholzer curtly replied “yes” when asked if there has been any progress in the Antetokounmpo’s recovery. The Bucks' coach also refused to answer when asked if there are things that Giannis couldn’t do on the court.
“I couldn’t give you a specific thing or anything along those lines. I appreciate the question, respect it, but he’s just not ready to go. We’re going to continue to monitor him and see how he does the next day or two,” Budenholzer said.
During the team’s practice, it was reported that Antetokounmpo was able to do individual workouts but failed to perform team stuff.
The bucks badly need the Greek Freak
Giannis hurt his back in the first quarter of Game 1, which the Heat won 130-117. The Bucks were able to survive his absence in Game 2 and win 138-122.
Needless to say, the Bucks are in a must-win situation when Game 4 takes place in Miami on Monday. An announcement on whether or not Giannis will finally suit up for that crucial game is going to be a much-awaited one.
