Bucks’ Doc Rivers admits ‘very uncomfortable’ Giannis Antetokounmpo situation before Heat game

For the fourth-straight game, the Milwaukee Bucks operated on the court without their best player, as Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out for Wednesday night’s road game against the Miami Heat. 

Antetokounmpo has been missing games because of a groin injury he suffered in a meeting last week with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since then, the Bucks have gone winless, going 0-4 after their 106-103 loss to the Heat.

For a moment heading into the Miami game,  there was a glimmer of hope that Antetokounmpo would be able to give it a go, as he was upgraded to questionable. But he ended up getting labeled out for the contest. For Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers, it was the right decision, as he did not feel too confident about the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player getting unleashed in South Beach.

Here’s what Rivers said about Antetokounmpo’s desire to play against Miami before getting ultimately ruled out (via Eric Nehm of The Athletic):

No. I was not in favor (of him playing). I was very happy we decided what we decided. I was very uncomfortable with it. He really wanted to push and that’s who Giannis is. I was very happy with our medical team today. They decided at the end of the day, let’s wait. Obviously, as a coach, I can’t get involved but so much, but I told Giannis this morning – that it should be a no tonight. Then, the medical team told him as well. What makes Giannis this great is that it was a yes from him. We just thought it was the right thing to do. We gotta protect him sometimes.