Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a right calf injury during Friday's narrow loss to the Denver Nuggets, limiting him in the final moments of the game. He anticipates missing 4-6 weeks, pending an MRI, marking his fourth calf issue in three seasons. The injury complicates the Bucks' struggling season and raises questions about their future direction.
Shortly after the Milwaukee Bucks' two-point defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo addressed reporters from his locker, expressing frustration over a recurring right calf injury that sidelined him for the game's last 34 seconds. The two-time MVP, who had been noticeably limited throughout the contest, described the setback based on his NBA experience.
"The next steps will be go to MRI tomorrow, after the MRI they will tell me probably I popped something in my calf, or my soleus, something. They'll probably give me a protocol of 4-6 weeks that I'll be out," Antetokounmpo said. "After that, I'm going to work my butt off to come back. That will probably be the end of February, beginning of March. Hopefully the team will be in a place that we can at least make the Play-In or the playoffs. Just take it day-by-day, try to get better."
This marks the fourth calf injury for Antetokounmpo in the last three seasons, including a three-week absence earlier this year on the same leg, a left calf strain that kept him out over two weeks last season, and another that ended his 2024 playoffs participation. Bucks coach Doc Rivers voiced concern: "I don't think it looks great, personally. This calf keeps coming up and it's concerning. I'm not a doctor, but I'm smart enough to know that his calf keeps bothering him and there's something that is there and it keeps happening, and that's troublesome for all of us."
The Bucks, now 18-26 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, are 2.5 games behind Atlanta for the final Play-In spot but closer to Brooklyn's fifth-worst record league-wide. They have lost six of their last eight games and stand 3-11 without Antetokounmpo this season. The team's early 4-1 start has faded amid injuries and poor rankings: 24th in offensive rating, 21st in defensive, and 24th in net rating at -3.4.
Antetokounmpo's absence, potentially extending through the February 5 trade deadline and All-Star Weekend, ends his bid for All-NBA honors and MVP consideration due to the 65-game threshold—he has already missed 14 games. Named an All-Star starter for the 10th straight year, he will likely miss the event for the second consecutive season.
Recent tensions, including Antetokounmpo's criticism of teammates as "selfish" after a loss to Oklahoma City and reports of intensified discussions about his future, add uncertainty. However, the injury may deter trades, positioning the Bucks to secure a stronger 2026 draft pick via their swap with New Orleans' selection from the second-worst Pelicans.
