188 articles

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
8 days ago
To no one’s surprise, Antetokounmpo will not play in Sunday’s season finale. Turner is also out, which means more playing time and a likely start for Jericho Sims. Pete Nance is questionable, and his minutes are likely to increase if he can play.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
10 days ago
Antetokounmpo will remain out for another game, and fans may have seen him play for the final time this season. Ousmane Dieng and Pete Nance have played increased minutes recently, with the former offering a higher ceiling for those in active fantasy leagues.
Source: Ira Winderman

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
15 days ago
While Antetokounmpo has insisted that he’s healthy and wants to play, sparking an ongoing investigation by the NBA, the Bucks continue to hold him out. Pete Nance was the starting power forward in Friday’s loss to the Celtics and recorded the first double-double of his NBA career. Given the Bucks’ injuries, he’s worth a roll of the dice in deep leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
It’s unclear how close the Bucks were to trading Antetokounmpo over the past year, but Edens wasn’t mincing his words in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. The Bucks co-owner made it clear that the organization has no plans to let the 31-year-old power forward play out the last season on his contract without an extension. Until a deal is made, expect trade rumors to continue to swirl around Antetokounmpo as we head into the summer.
Source: Ramona Shelburne

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
It’s unclear how close the Bucks were to trading Antetokounmpo over the past year, but Edens wasn’t mincing his words in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. The Bucks co-owner made it clear that the organization has no plans to let the 31-year-old power forward play out the last season on his contract without an extension. Until a deal is made, expect trade rumors to continue to swirl around Antetokounmpo as we head into the summer.
Source: Ramona Shelburne

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Milwaukee believes it will be mutually beneficial if he sits out the rest of the season, likely since it would help improve their lottery odds. However, Antetokounmpo wants to play. He’s set to be re-evaluated early next week after being diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. This clear tension will certainly continue to fan the flames of trade rumors that have surrounded Giannis and the Bucks for most of the season.
Source: Eric Nehm

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, according to a report from Charania. The Bucks will re-evaluate their superstar power forward in one week. Jericho Sims should move into the starting lineup with Antetokounmpo out, but this is a bad injury for fantasy managers to have to deal with during the fantasy playoffs.
Source: Shams Charania

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Giannis injured his ankle during Sunday’s game against Indiana, and the injury will keep him sidelined against Cleveland. Jericho Sims should make a return to the starting unit with Antetokounmpo unavailable.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo was injured during Sunday’s win over the Pacers, and he likely dodged a bullet, as there were initial concerns about a knee injury. The Bucks’ star has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle. If Antetokounmpo can’t play on Tuesday, Jericho Sims could return to the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game absence and went right back to providing first-round value. The 31-year-old power forward briefly headed to the locker room in the second half for a leg issue, but returned to the bench and said after the game he felt he could’ve returned to the game. The Bucks have three games upcoming in Week 21, starting with a matchup against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo is available after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Hawks. His return will likely push Jericho Sims, who was ineffective as a spot starter in Atlanta, to the bench.
Source: Tony East

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Giannis did not play in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks, with his absence factoring into Ryan Rollins’ move into the starting lineup. With Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) ruled out, the former league MVP can fill that void if allowed to play, which leaves Rollins in the starting five.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo has been available for five of the last six Bucks games, but he missed the last back-to-back and is set to sit out Saturday’s game against the Hawks ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Pacers. The 31-year-old power forward continues to manage a calf injury. The Bucks figure to rely heavily on Myles Turner and Bobby Portis with Antetokounmpo sidelined.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Milwaukee closes the week with a back-to-back, making it possible that fantasy managers get one game out of Antetokounmpo instead of two. If he plays the Hawks on Saturday, Giannis likely won’t play the Pacers on Sunday. He sat out the second game of Milwaukee’s most recent back-to-back, a loss to the Magic on March 8.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo has been available for five of the Bucks’ last six games, but this was his best offensive performance. In fact, this was his highest-scoring performance since Jan. 11, which was over two months prior to this game. Giannis hasn’t been quite as productive as he typically is, most notably a lack of production on the glass. He’ll look to build on this scoring performance in Saturday’s game in Atlanta.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Magic, Antetokounmpo logged 30 minutes against the Suns. This was the first time he’s played at least 30 minutes since returning from his second calf strain of the season, so the limit is clearly increasing. That’s good news for fantasy managers, as many are counting on Giannis to be his usual dominant self during the fantasy playoff weeks.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Antetokounmpo and Kuzma were held out of Sunday’s loss to the Magic, which was Milwaukee’s second game in as many nights. Their returns will likely push Jericho Sims and AJ Green to the bench, where neither player has offered reliable fantasy value.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
Sunday’s game is the second in as many nights for the Bucks, who beat the Jazz on Saturday. Giannis’ absence opens a massive hole in the starting lineup, with Bobby Portis and AJ Green being potential replacements. With head coach Doc Rivers declaring that he wanted to go with a bigger lineup, which led to Green coming off the bench on Saturday, Portis may be the choice.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 1 month ago
After playing 25 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, Antetokounmpo logged 27 on Saturday. The Bucks are taking a measured approach to his workload and have not wavered, even in moments when the team’s lead may be slipping away. That was the case on Saturday, but Milwaukee’s “others” were able to do enough to avoid losing the lead completely before Giannis returned for crunch time. Milwaukee has one more game in Week 19, as it hosts Orlando on Sunday.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 2 months ago
Wednesday’s game was one that the Bucks needed, as they trailed Atlanta by four games for the final play-in spot. Unfortunately for Giannis and co., they were on the wrong end of a blowout at home. Of importance to fantasy managers was that Antetokounmpo played 25 minutes, matching his number in Monday’s loss to the Celtics. The concern now is what happens if the Bucks fall even further off the pace for a play-in spot, especially if that were to happen during the playoff weeks in fantasy leagues.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 2 months ago
Having missed five weeks with a strained right calf, the second time this season that he’s suffered that injury, Antetokounmpo was under a minutes limit on Monday. He played 25 minutes against the Celtics, and the fact that the game was a blowout also factored into Giannis’ playing time. The Bucks were above .500 without their best player, but the team’s chemistry appeared off on Monday, an unsurprising development due to the lack of practice time. Antetokounmpo will look to bounce back on Wednesday against the Hawks.

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 2 months ago
Giannis is good to go for Monday’s game, which will be his first since January 23. During his pregame availability, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said that he expects the former league MVP to be under a minutes restriction, but did not provide an exact number. Giannis’s return means that Kyle Kuzma will come off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 2 months ago
Giannis last played on January 23, so he’ll surely face a minutes restriction in his first game back in over a month. Antetokounmpo’s return should mean less run for Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, but managers rostering Kuz or Portis shouldn’t drop them immediately.
Source: Shams Charania

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
about 2 months ago
Antetokounmpo is not ready to return to action after suffering his second right calf strain of the season in late January. His continued absence means that Kyle Kuzma will stay in the starting lineup, raising his fantasy ceiling.
Source: NBA Injury Report

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
2 months ago
Giannis has been sidelined since straining his right calf for the second time this season during a January 23 loss to the Nuggets. At the time, he set a four-to-six-week timeline, and the former league MVP is on the right path. “I feel like the break doesn’t help, because now I gotta get on the court, I gotta play some 1-on-1, 3-on-3, 5 vs. 5,” Antetokounmpo said Saturday. “Players are on vacation right now, so it’s kinda hard for me to do that. “So once I check all those boxes, I’m ready to go. I feel like I can play a game today.” Giannis has made it clear he will play again this season. And the Bucks’ wins over Orlando and Oklahoma City heading into the All-Star break likely sparked optimism about the team’s chances of earning a playoff berth once they get their star forward back.
Source: Milwaukee Bucks

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
2 months ago
While Giannis gave himself a timeline of four to six weeks for his return, the Bucks offered no such guarantees. Based on Rivers’ words on Friday, the Bucks star may be able to return sooner than anticipated. Just as notable for fantasy managers was Rivers’ shooting down the notion that the Bucks would consider shutting down their star forward. For now, managers should take Doc at his word but also remain ready to pivot if Giannis’ minutes decline sharply.
Source: Jackson Gross

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
2 months ago
Despite all the reports that Milwaukee was looking to move Giannis, they will keep him through the season, though managers shouldn’t expect to see him often. He’s currently sidelined with a calf injury, and there is no reason for them to rush him back. Of course, this isn’t going to quiet any trade rumors, and teams will be revisiting a potential deal this offseason.
Source: Shams Charania

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
3 months ago
The Bucks have struggled mightily without Antetokounmpo this season, going just 3-12 in games that he missed. The Bucks are 12th in the Eastern Conference standings at 18-27, and their season could get even worse as Giannis has no timetable to return. Milwaukee is incentivized to trade Antetokounmpo, but according to Charania, the team will be patient and wait to move him until the offseason if it feels that a better package will be available. We may have already seen the last of Giannis in a Bucks uniform.
Source: Shams Charania

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
3 months ago
According to Nehm, Rivers said, “He did a very good job. MRI has revealed exactly what we thought. There’s no timetable. Calf strain and really no timetable for return. Hopefully, like it was before, sooner (than later), but there’s no timetable.” That’s certainly a divergence from Giannis’ initial four-to-six-week estimate. Until Antetokounmpo returns, Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma will share duties at PF.
Source: Eric Nehm

MIL • Power Forward, Small Forward, Point Guard, and Shooting Guard • #34
3 months ago
While it’s unclear when exactly Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during Friday night’s loss to the Nuggets, the 31-year-old power forward didn’t mince words in his postgame media availability. Antetokounmpo said he expects the MRI, which is scheduled for Saturday, to show that he popped something in his calf and that he won’t return before the end of February at the earliest. While the injury is potentially devastating for fantasy managers, it also has major implications on the Bucks’ playoff hopes. Milwaukee is currently two and a half games behind Atlanta for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and will have to find a way to tread water without their star player for at least the next month.
Source: Shams Charania