The Milwaukee Bucks surprisingly dropped Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Miami Heat. Perhaps a more concerning takeaway was an injury that forced star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the opening game early.
Antetokounmpo left Sunday’s game in the second quarter after sustaining a back injury in the first quarter. He ended up missing much of the game and was later diagnosed with a lower back contusion.
Milwaukee certainly would like to win at least one of their first two games at home in the series. Unfortunately, it looks like the Bucks may need to do so without Antetokounmpo.
Bucks beat reporter for The Athletic, Eric Nehm, reported on Tuesday that Antetokoumpo has been listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s Game 2 matchup against the Heat.
The Bucks have submitted their first injury report for tomorrow's Game 2 against the Heat.
Doubtful:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion)OUT:
Wesley Matthews (right calf strain)— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) April 18, 2023
The NBA world certainly took notice of this news. Many fans took to social media and said that they do not like the Bucks’ chances in this game if Giannis doesn’t end up suiting up.
BIG YIKES https://t.co/cqAA5cuxNs
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) April 18, 2023
Giannis potentially not playing is obviously a huge blow, but Matthews being out only adds fuel to the fire.
Going to need Allen, Ingles, and Crowder to step up mightily. https://t.co/j9qBcMkrEf
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) April 18, 2023
Giannis being listed as doubtful is a bit of a twist. He didn't practice but said he was optimistic. We'll see what happens. https://t.co/y8AdVwA9l1
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) April 18, 2023
Welp, doubtful doesn't sound optimistic. https://t.co/nwfNx5iquM
— Adriana Torres (@TorresAdrianaTV) April 18, 2023
Not a great start for the #Bucks looking ahead to game two tomorrow night https://t.co/o68Iydc57J
— Luke Gamble (@LukeGambleTV) April 18, 2023
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) April 18, 2023
Miami has been a team that has had the number of the Milwaukee Bucks in the past. The Heat famously beat the Bucks in the 2020 Eastern Conference Semifinals on their run to the NBA Finals.
If Antetokounmpo doesn’t end up returning for Game 2, it could spark the beginning of a very disappointing playoff run for Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is very clearly the biggest factor for the Bucks’ postseason success. The two-time MVP winner is averaging a career-high 31.1 points per game on the year along with 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.