Giannis Antetokounmpo did some individual work on the court at the Sports Science Center on Friday afternoon before the Milwaukee Bucks departed for Miami, but the Most Valuable Player finalist did not practice in the team setting.
“We’re just going to monitor him the rest of today, we’ll monitor him tomorrow and see where he is and together with him make decisions,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion following a fall in the Bucks’ Game 1 loss on April 16, and Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo is doing what he can to be available to play.
But, just because the Bucks rallied with an impressive victory without him in Game 2 doesn’t necessarily dictate how they’ll handle the superstar going forward in the series.
“I mean, I think the reality of it is when he’s ready, or anybody’s ready, that’s when they’re going to play,” Budenholzer said. “You can’t deny the playoffs and reality and human nature and things like that, but I don’t think your back or your body knows whether it’s December or the playoffs. You’re ready when you’re ready. We’re always going to protect him and think about his health, his future, his career. So, I think it’s part of this time of year.”
Antetokounmpo was upgraded to questionable to play in Game 2, but Budenholzer allowed that was a function of giving the team the option of playing him. Had Antetokounmpo remained doubtful, Budenholzer suggested that option would have been tabled.
The veteran wing strained his right calf in Game 1 and missed Game 2. Budenholzer ruled him out for Saturday’s third game but not for the rest of the series. A person with knowledge of the situation told the Journal Sentinel that there is hope the injury is not as severe as the strain that sidelined him for nine games from the end of February and into March.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t practice before Game 3 vs. Heat