Many expected the Milwaukee Bucks to build on their Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers and finish both of their first home games with a win.
However, they weren’t able to contain Pascal Siakam as he dumped an incredible 37 points and pushed Indiana past the Bucks to even the series. It showed that the badly needed Giannis Antetokounmpo back into the rotation if the team was going to have any chance of success.
The Greek Freak has been out of the rotation for a while after injuring his calf. There were murmurs in and around the team that he could play in Game 2, but head coach Doc Rivers decided against forcing Giannis to play and save him for the team’s upcoming road games in Indianapolis.
Doc Rivers suggests Giannis Antetokounmpo’s time off the Milwaukee Bucks is coming to an end
Hours before Game 2 came and went, the NBA media asked head coach Doc Rivers about the status of his star player and whether he was going to be able to play for the Bucks.
The answer he gave, as reported by Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is as unclear of an answer as you can get:
“Honestly, I don’t even go in there (the training room). I could literally not tell you one thing what any of those guys do. I’ve learned, I just stay out the training room. I don’t want to be in there because they may make me get on the table. You’ve seen me walk, right? I don’t know.
“But I know even that is active stuff. I will say that. I know he’s doing physical lifting and moving. But today – I think he’s been on the court four days in a row – I think today is the non-court day, is maybe a better way of saying that.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s presence would have completely changed the complexion of Game 2. Through 73 regular-season games, the Greek Freak averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks on a 61/27/65% shooting clip.
Should Giannis return in time for Game 3, the Milwaukee Bucks will become overwhelming favorites to steamroll past the Pacers and possibly end the series in a gentleman’s sweep.
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