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Milwaukee Bucks announce disappointing Giannis Antetokounmpo news for preseason opener

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 6:58 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks will kick off the 2025 NBA Preseason by taking on the Miami Heat on the road on Monday night. As always, all eyes are on nine-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether or not he will suit up to play. The two-time NBA MVP only just recently joined the team at training camp, having been delayed in his return from Greece because of COVID.

Of course, it is just an exhibition game and the starters likely will not play much anyway, but fans all love watching Giannis whether the games count or not.

Unfortunately, Heat fans will have to wait for the regular season for that to happen.

Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for the Milwaukee Bucks in the preseason opener

Milwaukee Bucks announce disappointing Giannis Antetokounmpo news for preseason opener 1 Apr 5, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up the court against the Miami Heat during overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

In his pregame press conference, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers revealed that Giannis will not play in Milwaukee’s preseason opener in Milwaukee:

Bucks coach Doc Rivers tells reporters that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be out tonight in Miami for the preseason opener against the Heat.

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 6, 2025

While the Greek Freak was healthy enough to travel to the United States from Greece, he is still not fully recovered from his bout with the disease. Even in practices over the weekend, he did not fully participate as he works his way back to full conditioning.

The hope, of course, is that this will not take long, nor should it. Giannis is coming off of a brilliant EuroBasket run with Greece which saw him lead the national team to a bronze medal. During the tournament, the Bucks star averaged 27.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

Without Giannis in the starting lineup, the Bucks will have the following starting five:

Kevin Porter Jr.
AJ Green
Gary Trent Jr.
Kyle Kuzma
Myles Turner

Of course, Giannis is typically the starting power forward, while Kuzma (who is starting in that spot tonight) is expected to be the starting small forward.

One interesting position battle that will be interesting to watch starting tonight is the race for the starting shooting guard spot between Trent and Green. Both are in the starting lineup tonight and both are excellent shooters.

No matter which of them wins the role, both will be huge contributors to the Bucks this season, but it is still intriguing to see which one comes out on top.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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