The Milwaukee Bucks’ first game of the 2023 playoffs didn’t go well. They lost to the Miami Heat by 10 and were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo down the stretch. He injured his back and was forced to miss the rest of the game, resulting in the 8th seed stealing Game 1 from them.
Fortunately, for the Bucks, even without Antetokounmpo for Game 2, they managed to blow out the Heat and tie up the series 1-1. However, when will their superstar suit up again? Let’s see what his injury status is for Game 3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status for Game 3: Bucks at Heat
Antetokounmpo landed hard on his lower back in the Bucks’ Game 1 loss to the Heat. He didn’t return following the injury, which immediately led to questions about whether he would play Game 2. He didn’t ultimately play Game 2, and his status for Game 3 is up in the air. Luckily for Milwaukee, they aren’t going to Miami down 0-2, otherwise, it would put added pressure on them to bring Antetokounmpo back before he is ready.
Update:
Bucks have ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) for Game 3 vs. Heat tonight.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2023
Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for game 3.
When will Antetokounmpo play?
With the extra day off between Game 1 and Game 2, the likelihood of Antetokounmpo playing appeared to be fairly decent. Unfortunately, it seems as though the injury may be slightly more serious than initially thought. Whether he will play Game 3 is still undecided, and even if he does, how impactful he will be with a painful lower back injury is an entirely different question.
Milwaukee Bucks’ full injury report
Fortunately for the Bucks, only Antetokounmpo appears on the injury report. Even then, he could be removed from the injury report in time for Game 3. With almost every other playoff team impacted by injury, that would be quite impressive.
Milwaukee Bucks’ full first-round series schedule
*All times Eastern
Game 3-Apr 22, 2023, @ Miami 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Game 4-April 24, 2023, @ Miami 7:00 p.m NBATV
Game 5-April 26, 2023 Miami TBA
Game 6-April 28, 2023 Miami TBD
Game 7-Apr 30, 2023 Miami TBD
All in all, Antetokounmpo will miss Game 3. That will be a huge blow to the Bucks, who will be playing on the road against the Heat.