Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to return to the Milwaukee Bucks’ lineup for Game 4 of the team’s first-round playoff series with the Miami Heat on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The two-time MVP missed Games 2 and 3 after he sustained a lower back contusion during Game 1. He sustained the injury after contact with Kevin Love on a drive to the basket was followed by a hard fall late in the first quarter.
Antetokounmpo took free throws after Love was whistled for a block on the play. The 28-year-old attempted to play through the injury but exited one final time in the second quarter.
In the first game of the injury-riddled series, the Heat also lost a player in guard Tyler Herro, who sustained a broken hand before halftime. With him and Antetokounmpo out, Miami was able to pick up the pace on offense for a 130-117 win.
After the loss, Antetokounmpo’s initial MRI came back clean and Bucks Head coach Mike Budenholzer was hopeful he would make a quick return.
Monday morning, reporters spotted the Bucks star on the court for the first time since his injury. He participated in shoot-around with the rest of his teammates at Miami’s home Kaseya Center.
Antetokounmpo’s return comes as the top-seeded Bucks look to even the series from a 2-1 deficit. Milwaukee won Game 2 in what appeared to be a seamless 138-122 victory at home. But the team wasn’t able to stop the Heat from shooting 63% from three in a 66-point first half of Game 3. Miami went on to take a 121-99 win for the series lead but lost guard Victor Oladipo in the final minutes of that effort. He is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
Averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, Antetokounmpo’s potential impact knowns no bounds when he’s healthy. His presence on the court alone will likely help open up the Bucks offense.
