Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to return in showdown against Celtics

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 2:34 PM ET

With the Milwaukee Bucks three games out of the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, their superstar player is making his return for the stretch run.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to make his return

According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to play in Milwaukee's showdown against the Boston Celtics on Monday.

Antetokounmpo has missed the previous five weeks with a calf strain, but he is expected to play on Monday.

Antetokounmpo has not seen game action since Jan. 23, when he collected 22 points and 13 rebounds in 32 minutes on the floor.

Breaking: Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return tonight against the Boston Celtics after missing the last five-plus weeks with a right calf strain, sources tell @ShamsCharania.

Get breaking news alerts from Shams Charania through the ESPN App:… pic.twitter.com/T6KxeMUlbH
— ESPN (@espn) March 2, 2026

Can Giannis Antetokounmpo get back to form?

Before his injury, Antetokounmpo's numbers were some of the worst in quite some time. 28 points and 10 rebounds each night is nothing to look past, but it is not on par with previous seasons.

In each of the previous three seasons, Antetokounmpo has averaged 30-plus points along with 11-plus rebounds per game. The most recent season Antetokounmpo didn't reach 30 points per game was the 2021-22 season, when he averaged 29.9. His last time not reaching 11 rebounds per game was 2017-18, when he averaged 10 per game.

Milwaukee has a favorable schedule for the remainder of the season

The return of Antetokounmpo comes at a stellar time for Milwaukee. According to Tankathon, the Bucks have the eighth-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA. That is much more favorable than the Charlotte Hornets (ninth toughest), the team Milwaukee is trying to track down in the Eastern Conference.

If Antetokounmpo can return to a level of play that replicates anything close to recent seasons, the Bucks could sneak their way into the NBA playoffs and cause havoc.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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