Milwaukee Bucks are ‘optimistic’ Giannis Antetokounmpo will play in Game 2 vs. Miami

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo missed practice on Tuesday and was listed by the team as doubtful for Game 2 of the playoff series against the Miami Heat – but optimism remains.

Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion after a collision with Heat forward Kevin Love.

‘We have 24-plus hours before game time, so he’ll get treatment,’ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Tuesday afternoon.

‘We’ll see how he feels. I think there’s been a lot of progress. Hopefully there’s more in the next day or so.’ 

Antetokounmpo has a history of making rapid recoveries from injuries.

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as doubtful after missing Tuesday practice

Head coach Mike Budenholzer expressed optimism that his star player may still play in Game 2

Antetokounmpo was diagnosed with a lower back contusion after suffering a hard fall 

The most notable example came two years ago during the Bucks´ championship run. Antetokounmpo hyperextended his right knee during the Eastern Conference finals and missed the final two games of the Bucks´ 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, but he was named the MVP of the NBA Finals after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and five assists in the 4-2 triumph over the Phoenix Suns, including a 50-point performance in the title-clinching win.

This season, Antetokounmpo sprained his right wrist just before the All-Star break but was back in the starting lineup for the Bucks´ next game, just four days after heading to New York to have the wrist examined.

‘There’s an optimism,’ Budenholzer said. ‘Time is a little bit on our side, but that equation will flip. But yeah, I would say we’re optimistic.’ 

Antetokounmpo is coming off another tremendous season that saw him average 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists along with 55.3 percent shooting from the field.

He was also named a finalist for this year’s MVP award, though that is expected to go to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

When Antetokounmpo has missed time, this season the Bucks have gone 11-8.

Talented veterans Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez would be tasked with picking up the slack for their MVP candidate if Antetokounmpo is unable to play.

Bucks forward Jar Crowder shared his head coaches optimism about Antetokounmpo

Forward Jae Crowder also expressed optimism that Antetokounmpo would play in Game 2