Greece’s FIBA World Cup campaign has just taken a major twist. Roughly two months ahead of the highly-anticipated international tournament, the Greek national team has been rocked with some unfortunate news on the injury front. According to reports, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could be forced to sit out the tournament because of a new injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Doubtful To Participate In The 2023 FIBA World Cup Due To A Leg Injury
According to a report by SDNA’s Magic EuroLeague, Antetokounmpo is currently dealing with a leg injury. No further details were revealed regarding the extent of the injury, but the report also indicates that as of the moment, Giannis is doubtful to take part in the World Cup. Furthermore, Antetokounmpo’s odds to take part in the tournament are currently “less than 50%,” per the report.
The Bucks will obviously have the final say in all this. Given how they are Antetokounmpo’s employer, they could very well prevent him from suiting up for Greece if they deem it necessary. Apparently, this is what Milwaukee intends to do “unless he’s 100% healthy.”
Greece’s Chances Will Drop Significantly If Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Unable To Get Healthy
There’s no denying that Giannis is Greece’s most important member of the squad. He’s also their best player, and this only means that if he’s unable to go, then this would pretty much end any hope for Greece to succeed in the tournament.
The last time we saw Antetokounmpo on the basketball court was during the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat. Giannis suffered a back injury early in Game 1, and he ended up missing the next two games because of the knock. He returned for Games 4 and 5, but at that point, it was too little too late an effort from the seven-time All-Star.
Greece does have a handful of formidable players on their roster, but they’re no Bucks. Milwaukee struggled mightily at the hands of the Heat without Giannis, and unfortunately, this is the same fate Greece will be faced with sans Antetokounmpo.
Greece is part of Group C in the FIBA World Cup, and while a Giannis-less side could probably scrape out wins against Jordan and New Zealand, you can’t really like Greece’s chances against a full-strength Team USA with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, and Austin Reaves, among others, leading the way. Beating the Americans is hard enough with Antetokounmpo in the mix, but without him, it could be a bloodbath.
You have to note, though, that the World Cup doesn’t start until August 24th, so Giannis still has time to get healthy. At this point, all hope is not lost.
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