Malik Waqar
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss the NBA All-Star Game due to a left calf strain, and coach Doc Rivers has indicated he is unlikely to return before the break.
Antetokounmpo, 30, has been sidelined for a week, missing his fourth consecutive game on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Rivers confirmed that while the injury isn’t severe, the team is prioritizing his long-term health.
“We’ve just been monitoring it, and it just hasn’t improved enough for us to play him,” Rivers said. “If this was a playoff game, would he play? Probably yes. But this is not, and we want to make sure he’s playing in the playoffs.”
The two-time MVP is expected to sit out upcoming games against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, extending his absence to at least six games.
The Bucks hope to have him back when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on February 20, their first game after the break.
Antetokounmpo is having another dominant season, ranking second in the NBA with 31.8 points per game while averaging 12.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks.
The Bucks, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, have struggled without him, going 4-5 in games he has missed this season.
With the All-Star break approaching, Milwaukee is prioritizing caution over short-term gains, ensuring their franchise player is fully fit for the playoff push.
