Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury: Updates on Bucks Star's Ankle and Return
The ascension of star-in-the-making Giannis Antetokounmpo may be temporarily stymied, as the second-year player is now dealing with an injury.
Bucks PR reported on Friday that Antetokounmpo is suffering from an ankle injury:
However, despite the earlier announcement, the Bucks announced that Antetokounmpo would actually be available:
Alongside Jabari Parker, Larry Sanders and Brandon Knight, Antetokounmpo helps to form the young core of the Milwaukee Bucks. Though Antetokounmpo comes off the bench for the team, he's often provided a spark in that role and remains one of the team's most important players despite not starting.
Antetokounmpo showed signs of his significant potential in his rookie season, averaging 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game in 77 contests. Listed at 6'11" and 217 pounds, he's athletic enough to play several positions on the floor, and considering he's so young, his upside is frightening.
"He's such a skilled player," Sanders said of his teammate in early November, via of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's only just scratching the surface of how good he's going to be. He's just tapping into new abilities and trying on new things. He's really learning about himself and it's amazing to watch."
Still, if this injury ends up being serious and costing him major time on the court, it will be a major blow to both his development and the Bucks rotation. Antetokounmpo is still raw and needs as many minutes as he can get.
The Bucks know that. His teammates know that. NBA enthusiasts know that. More than a few folks will be hoping this injury is minor. After all, who wants to see the rise of a future star halted by a pesky injury?
