Giannis Antetokounmpo day-to-day with knee injury

Giannis Antetokounmpo is progressing well from his knee injury. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo considered day-to-day with knee injury entering NBA Finals

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/4/21

It appears Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is progressing well from his knee injury and could very well suit up for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters, including Ben Golliver of the Washington Post, after Saturday's 118-107 series-clinching Game 6 victory over the Atlanta Hawks that Antetokounmpo remains "day-to-day." However, he added that the two-time MVP was clamoring to play in Games 5 and 6, which is a good sign for the Bucks.

Mike Budenholzer says Bucks will approach Giannis Antetokounmpo's availability for the NBA Finals as a "day to day" thing and that Giannis, Bud, GM Jon Horst & sports performance team will be involved in the decision. Says Giannis was "dying to be out there" in Games 5 & 6.
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 4, 2021

Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee during a collision in Milwaukee's Game 4 loss to the Hawks on June 29.

For what it's worth, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported before Game 6 that Antetokounmpo would have been given the green light to return to the Eastern Conference finals if the Hawks managed to force a Game 7.

Antetokounmpo still has two full days to rest and get close to 100% before Game 1 on Tuesday. The Bucks will need the "Greek Freak" if they have any hope of defeating the very hungry Phoenix Suns to win their first NBA title since the 1970-71 campaign.

At this point, there's really no doubt that Antetokounmpo will return for the NBA Finals. The only question is when.

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