KEY POINTS

  • Antetokounmpo hyperextended his knee in the first half of Game 4 and did not return
  • He is expected to miss the rest of the series due to the injury
  • The Bucks will have to rely on Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextended knee in the Bucks’ Game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Antetokounmpo launched himself through the air to challenge Hawks big man Clint Capela, and both men crashed to the floor due to the contact, with the latter’s right leg getting tangled with the Greek’s left leg upon landing.

(WARNING: The video below may be uncomfortable or disturbing to watch)

The Greek star was on the floor for quite some time, very much in pain, before he was helped off by brother Thanassis and did not return for the rest of the game according to Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Prior to Game 3, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said that Antetokounmpo has been getting treatment for calf tightness according to Malika Andrews of ESPN.

With a hyperextended knee, Antetokounmpo is expected to miss the rest of the Eastern Conference Finals as the Bucks organization cannot risk further injury to their best player.

They’ll have to rely on Khris Middleton to carry them throughout this series and put up monster performances along the way.

Jrue Holiday will also need to help Middleton carry the load in Game 5 and make plays for his teammates.

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks scores a basket against Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks scores a basket against Andre Drummond #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images | Kevork Djansezian

The worry now is that the vaunted Bucks defense will be put to the test without “The Greek Freak” on the floor.

Offensively, the Bucks can carry themselves as they do have multiple weapons that they can utilize, while the franchise is out.

His offensive production is a big part of the Bucks’ success this season, but his defense has been a crucial part of why they even made it out against the Brooklyn Nets.

Losing Antetokounmpo couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Bucks.

After nearly losing to the Nets in the second round, many believed that Budenholzer would have been axed for failing to advance to the ECF and give the organization a shot at making the finals.

Until we get a clearer update on Antetokounmpo’s situation, the Bucks will have to soldier on without him and hopefully pull off the series win to book a trip to the finals.

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