Milwaukee Bucks dodge a bullet with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury

The Milwaukee Bucks have had a roller-coaster day or so after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ugly knee injury. He hyper-extended his knee in the third quarter of a 110-88 Game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and worries swiftly shifted from mere concerns about the outcome of this NBA playoff series to Antetokounmpo’s return next season or longer.

The Bucks have been often discombobulated during these playoffs, even at full strength with Giannis at the peak of his powers. When he went down, the Hawks swiftly extended their lead and mercilessly finished the Bucks off to draw the series even at 2-2.

The Milwaukee Bucks have had a roller-coaster day or so after Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ugly knee injury. Fortunately, it looks like they dodged a bullet.

You could blame the Bucks’ poor effort over the rest of that game on concerns about the injury, but let’s be honest, they probably weren’t going to win that game even with a healthy Giannis. They were -11 when he was on the floor and simply weren’t at a level that a team in their position with a potential death-grip in the Eastern Conference Finals should have.

If they were that mediocre with him, imagine how outmatched they would have been without him in this series. Even if Trae Young doesn’t return swiftly enough from his bone bruise to play in this series.

Fortunately, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it looks like the Bucks have dodged a major bullet. Per Woj’s report, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MRI revealed no structural damage in his knee, and his ligaments are sound. His timetable to return remains unknown.

The Bucks may not get him back for this series or in the 2021 NBA playoffs, but it’s a relief to know that his long-term outlook is clear at the very least. On the other hand, if these bizarrely underwhelming Bucks are to have any chance at all at winning the championship this season, they’re going to need Giannis back in action.

Hopefully, he can play again sooner than later, but more importantly, hopefully, he doesn’t get put (or put himself) in a position to risk further damage to that knee.