Miami (AP) — In a surprising turn of events, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s leading scorer this season, was sidelined during the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Cup matchup against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night due to swelling in his left knee. This decision came just an hour before game time, as Antetokounmpo had originally been listed as probable to play, following a strained left calf.
Despite the unexpected absence of their star player, the Bucks triumphed over the Heat with a score of 106-103, marking their fifth consecutive victory. Damian Lillard stepped up significantly, contributing 37 points to secure the win.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed surprise at the late-breaking news about Antetokounmpo’s knee issue, responding to reporters roughly 90 minutes before the game. “Honestly, that’s breaking news to me, too, right now,” he remarked.
Milwaukee’s next game is scheduled for Saturday against the Washington Wizards. The NBA has a player participation policy stating that teams must present approved reasons for star players, like Antetokounmpo, to be withheld from games, especially those that are nationally televised and part of significant tournaments. Earlier that day, the Atlanta Hawks faced a $100,000 fine for not fielding Trae Young in a similar Cup game, indicating the league’s strict enforcement of this policy.
Antetokounmpo, who has been named the Eastern Conference player of the week numerous times, has had a remarkable season thus far, averaging a career-best 32.4 points with a shooting percentage of 61%. His absence against the Heat doesn’t automatically trigger an investigation, especially given his impressive participation record, having played in 16 of the Bucks’ first 17 games this season.
Coach Rivers emphasized the necessity of addressing such situations as they arise, stating, “Listen, the way he plays and how he works, there’s going to be things like this. And when they come, you just deal with them.”
This situation highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports, with teams needing to adapt quickly to the health of their star players. Fans can remain hopeful that Antetokounmpo will make a swift recovery and continue to shine in the upcoming games, reinforcing the Bucks’ strong position in the league.
Summary: Giannis Antetokounmpo was held out of Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat due to knee swelling, surprising many as he was initially expected to play. Despite his absence, the Bucks secured a victory, continuing their winning streak. The NBA has strict rules regarding player participation in key games, and while Antetokounmpo’s absence raises questions, he has had an outstanding season overall. Coach Doc Rivers remains optimistic about handling player health concerns moving forward.