No Timetable for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Return as Bucks Star Battles Another Calf Injury

The return date of Giannis Antetokounmpo remains uncertain after the Milwaukee Bucks forward was diagnosed with a calf strain, an injury that has troubled him repeatedly over the past two seasons. The two-time MVP sustained the issue during the Bucks’ narrow 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, a game he finished despite visible discomfort.

Antetokounmpo said after the game that an MRI would confirm whether the problem was a calf or soleus strain in his right leg. On Monday, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers confirmed it was a calf strain but declined to provide any timeline for the 31-year-old’s return.

“There’s really no timetable,” Rivers said.

Antetokounmpo had his right calf wrapped during the first half against Denver and struggled to move freely. He ultimately exited with 34 seconds remaining, explaining that the injury worsened late in the game.

“I felt like I couldn’t explode,” Antetokounmpo said. “I could jog. I couldn’t get on my toes, so I was kind of jogging on my heel the majority of the game. I didn’t have the same explosiveness, but I still felt like I could help. At the end, when it popped, I had to get out. I couldn’t walk.”

This is not the first time calf issues have sidelined the Bucks star. He missed eight games from December 5 to 26 earlier this season with a right calf strain. Injuries to his left calf also forced him to miss the 2024 playoffs and the 2025 All-Star Game.

Despite the recurring nature of the injury, Rivers said the team has not considered shutting Antetokounmpo down for the rest of the season.

“There’s no thought to that,” Rivers said. “But listen, there’s no timetable either.”

Milwaukee had been closely monitoring Antetokounmpo’s workload since his previous return, limiting his minutes to under 30 in his first three games back and keeping him below 33 minutes throughout January. Even so, the injury resurfaced, frustrating both player and team.

“He was frustrated with that because he’s used to playing 35,” Rivers said. “We thought we handled that well. Maybe we’ll go back down.”

Antetokounmpo’s absence comes at a difficult time for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are 18-26 and sit 11th in the Eastern Conference after losing five of their last six games. They are 15-15 with him in the lineup this season and just 3-11 without him, putting their streak of nine straight playoff appearances in serious danger.

The injury also ensures Antetokounmpo will be sidelined when the NBA trade deadline arrives on February 5, a notable development given ongoing speculation about his long-term future in Milwaukee. While he has repeatedly said he is “locked in” with the Bucks, he has also acknowledged that circumstances could change.

For now, Milwaukee must navigate a crucial stretch without its leader, hoping to steady the season while waiting for clarity on when their franchise cornerstone can return.