The Milwaukee Bucks, looking to avoid falling into a bigger hole in their first-round NBA playoff series against the Miami Heat, will reportedly have their star back on the floor Monday night for Game 4.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will return to the lineup barring any setbacks from his back contusion injury, according to Stadium. The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player had missed Games 2 and 3 of the series, which Milwaukee split with Miami.
During a Monday morning shootaround in the Kaseya Center in Miami, the site of the game, Antetokounmpo, 28, was on the floor with his teammates, apparently unrestricted.
Antetokounmpo, a six-time All-NBA performer and seven-time All-Star, is one of the game’s most dangerous players with his size, speed and agility. During the regular season, he averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
The No. 8 seed Heat, who are facing injury issues of their own, have opened a 2-1 lead against top-seeded Milwaukee after Miami blew out the Bucks Saturday night.
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How did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s back injury happen?
On April 16, with 4:13 left in the first quarter of Game 1 of the series, Antetokounmpo was driving to the hoop, when Heat forward Kevin Love attempted to draw a charge. Antetokounmpo landed awkwardly on his lower back and instantly was writhing in pain.
Antetokounmpo remained on the floor for several moments before getting up to take two free throws that resulted from the Love foul. A couple of minutes later, Antetokounmpo headed into the locker room for evaluation. He returned midway through the second quarter but was on the floor for only a little more than a minute. Antetokounmpo was later declared out for the rest of the game.
Antetokounmpo had been listed as doubtful for Game 2, though his status was upgraded to questionable. He was listed as questionable for Game 3.
When is Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat?
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET Monday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami.