Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer expressed cautious optimism about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s condition after the two-time NBA MVP left Milwaukee’s opening game of the Eastern Conference playoff series with a lower back injury. .
Antetokounmpo isn’t the only standout player currently dealing with injury issues after the opening weekend of the postseason. Injuries to some of the NBA’s biggest stars have marred the start of the playoffs, diminishing title chances for some, depending on how severe the injury is.
Budenholzer said Monday that Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI after the game that revealed “everything was clean.” The Bucks lost 130-117 to the Miami Heat and trail in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 2 on Wednesday night.
“I’ll say it’s still sore, but I’m thinking of progress,” Budenholzer said. “He is receiving treatment. I think we’ll keep monitoring it for the next day or two. We are probably lucky that (we have) two days between games. I think (we are) still staying positive, optimistic, but we’ll see how it feels later.”
Injuries occurred in a couple of hours on Sunday, also sidelining All-Star Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, leaving them without a chance to finish their series openers.
Anthony Davis scared off Los Angeles Lakers fans by holding his right shoulder and saying he couldn’t move his arm. Fortunately for the Lakers, Davis recovered from a pinched nerve and returned to start the third quarter in a 128-112 win over the Grizzlies.
Both Antetokounmpo and Morant were injured attacking the basket and both fell to the floor in strange ways. Giannis hit his back after being fouled by Miami’s Kevin Love. The Bucks lost 130-117 against Miami. Herro broke his right hand late in the second quarter, apparently when he dove to try and recover a fumble.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said Herro, who was seen with his hand in a cast after the game, will sit out Wednesday night’s Game 2, and the Heat will decide what happens later.
