Bucks win 13th straight NBA Game of the Year despite Giannis Antetokounmpo pulling out with knee injury
Superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his right knee in the first quarter bucks 128-99 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
A little more than a minute remained before the end of the first quarter, and the double Most Valuable Player in the NBA collided with the knees of another player. Antetokounmpo was unable to return to the game.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said he was not sure exactly when Antetokounmpo injured his knee, but noted that he would be considered an everyday due to the injury.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (right) dribbles into the basket in the first half against the Miami Heat at the Fiserv Forum on Feb. 20. February 24, 2023 in Milwaukee. (John Fisher/Getty Images)
Antetokounmpo came into the game with a lingering wrist injury, which he suffered in the game before the All-Star break. He started last week All-Star Game but left quickly after scoring only two points.
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On Friday, Budenholzer called a timeout in the middle of a Bucks possession as Antetokounmpo headed to the bench. He then entered the tunnel and into the locker room.
“Basically, he was asking for a date,” Budenholzer said after the game. “Fortunately, we had the ball. I don’t think we know exactly when he hit his knees.”
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends in the first half of a game on March 14, 2022 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Before playing against Heat. He had four points, four rebounds and four assists in limited court time on Friday.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) hits the basket around Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the third quarter at the Fiserv Forum on December 13, 2022 in Milwaukee. (Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports)
Antetokounmpo also missed games earlier this season with a left knee injury. Milwaukee’s 29-point victory over Miami was the biggest win of the season.
The Bucks have won 13 games in a row, the longest streak in the league this season.
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“Last two days of practice [without Giannis]we really just emphasized that we keep this rhythm, the way we play.” Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said.
“Bud [Budenholzer] says we turn on the faucet. I think just playing fast, playing random sometimes and keeping our chemistry was good.”