Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo thought knee injury was going to sideline him for a year
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks certainly aren't happy they lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns. However, the fact that Antetokounmpo was on the court for them was nothing short of a miracle.
The two-time MVP hyperextended his knee against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals and was a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 1. No one actually thought he would play.
After the game, Antetokounmpo spoke candidly about his recovery from the injury and even admitted that he thought his season was over the moment he hit the floor in pain against the Hawks.
According to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Antetokounmpo said he felt no pain in Game 1 and expects to feel even better in Game 2.
Antetokounmpo finished Game 1 with 20 points, 17 rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes. He'll need to be better in Game 2 if the Bucks want to even the series.
However, Milwaukee will have a tricky balancing act to maintain throughout the series. The Bucks need Antetokounmpo to play every second he can, but at the same time, they don't want to push him too hard and risk further injury.
Milwaukee will need other players to step up with Antetokounmpo not yet 100%, just like they did in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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