Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Contracts COVID; Out For Media Day

Just when you thought 2025 might give us a break from COVID storylines, here comes Giannis Antetokounmpo to remind us that viruses don’t care about your basketball schedule. The “Greek Freak” himself missed Milwaukee Bucks Media Day on Monday, and no, it wasn’t because he was too busy counting his EuroBasket bronze medal.

According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Antetokounmpo tested positive for COVID and is currently stuck in Greece like a tourist who forgot to check their passport expiration date. The timing? Chef’s kiss of inconvenience.

Antetokounmpo’s Greek Adventure Gone Wrong

Antetokounmpo just finished leading Greece to a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2025, putting up a ridiculous 27.3 points per game and reminding everyone why he is still one of the planet’s most dominant hoopers. The guy was probably ready to fly back to Milwaukee with his chest puffed out, bronze medal gleaming, ready to tell reporters about his summer conquests.

Instead, he’s probably sitting in some Greek hotel room, watching Media Day coverage on his laptop and wondering why the basketball gods have such a twisted sense of humor.

The Media Day That Wasn’t

Picture this: dozens of reporters gathered in Milwaukee, cameras ready, notebooks out, preparing to ask Antetokounmpo about his championship aspirations, his thoughts on the new roster additions, maybe even squeeze in a question about those persistent trade rumors. Instead, they got an empty chair and a maybe-we ‘ll-do-a-Zoom-call-later promise.

It is like showing up to a party and finding out the guest of honor is stuck in traffic – except the traffic is a global pandemic that apparently didn’t get the memo that we’re trying to move on.

What This Means For Milwaukee

Let’s be real here – this isn’t exactly the start to training camp that Doc Rivers was hoping for. The Bucks are coming off another disappointing playoff exit, there’s been chatter about Antetokounmpo’s long-term future in Milwaukee, and now their franchise player is playing hide-and-seek with a virus.

But here’s the thing about Giannis – the man averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists last season while dealing with injuries and team chemistry issues. A few missed media sessions aren’t going to derail his preparation for what could be a make-or-break season for the Bucks.

The Silver Lining

At least Bucks Governor Wesley Edens can sleep soundly knowing that back in June, Antetokounmpo made it “very clear he is committed to Milwaukee.” That conversation is looking pretty valuable right about now, especially with trade rumors swirling like a Wisconsin winter storm.

The “Greek Freak” will eventually make it back to Milwaukee, probably with some wild stories about his EuroBasket experience and maybe a newfound appreciation for video conferencing technology. Until then, Bucks fans will just have to wait and hope their superstar recovers quickly.

Because let’s face it – Milwaukee’s championship hopes don’t start and end with Media Day, but they sure as heck depend on having their best player healthy and ready when the games actually matter.