Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined indefinitely due to injury! No plans yet to miss the entire season or end his Bucks career now

On January 27th Beijing time, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the process of recovering from a calf injury; earlier he predicted a 4 to 6 week absence, but his precise comeback timing is still unknown. Insider Spears stated on a show, "I believe he has already played his final game wearing the Milwaukee Bucks jersey,"

The two-time regular season MVP said after the Bucks’ 100-102 loss to the Nuggets that an MRI is needed to determine whether the strain in his right leg is in the calf muscle or the soleus. Bucks head coach Rivers confirmed today that Giannis has a calf strain but did not speculate on when he might return.

“There really isn’t a specific timetable right now,” Rivers said. In other words, Giannis is currently on an indefinite hiatus.

During the first half against the Nuggets, the 31-year-old Giannis had his right calf wrapped. Throughout the rest of the game, he appeared uncomfortable, and with 34 seconds remaining, he left early due to inability to continue. “I felt like I couldn’t sprint at all, only jog. I mostly pushed off my heels during the whole game, couldn’t rise onto my toes. Even though my explosiveness was down, I still thought I could help the team. Until the injury suddenly worsened at the end, and I literally couldn’t walk, so I had to exit,” Giannis said after the game.

Previously, from December 6 to 27, Giannis missed 8 games due to a right calf strain. His history of left calf injuries also caused him to miss the 2024 playoffs and the 2025 All-Star Game.

Despite recurring calf issues, Rivers said the Bucks have no plans to rule Giannis out for the rest of the season. “We haven’t considered that at all,” Rivers stated. “But I have to say, his return date remains undecided.”

The Bucks currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 18-26 record. They have lost 5 of their last 6 games, putting their streak of 9 consecutive playoff appearances at risk. This season, the team is 15-15 when Giannis plays, but only 3-11 when he is absent.

Giannis admitted that if the Bucks’ record were better, he would have voluntarily left the game against the Nuggets earlier. However, he played 32 minutes and posted a well-rounded stat line of 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists.

“I think that really shows his character. Whether as a person or a player, his sense of responsibility is clear,” Bucks forward Portis commented.

So far this season, Giannis has averaged 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 30 games played.

Additionally, the Bucks’ second-leading scorer, Kevin Porter Jr., has missed the last two games due to an oblique strain. Rivers said there is currently no definite information about Porter’s return.