New NBA Rumors on Giannis' Injury Status, League Investigation After Bucks Star's Comments

The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly provided more insight to the NBA into their handling of Giannis Antetokounmpo as the two-time MVP remains sidelined.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bucks told the league office that Antetokounmpo "declined the opportunity" to participate in three-on-three scrimmages. Those were part of the overall plan for his return to the court.

"The NBA's Player Participation Policy investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo is ongoing and certain facts remain in dispute," a league spokesperson told Charania. "The investigation has found that the Bucks scheduled Giannis to work out last week in three-on-three scrimmages as part of his return-to-play process, but he declined to participate. There is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week, and the league is continuing to monitor the situation."

Charania reported Friday the NBA is formally looking into whether Milwaukee has violated the player participation policy.

Antetokounmpo has been sidelined since a March 15 win over the Indiana Pacers because of a knee injury. Ahead of Friday's 133-101 loss to the Boston Celtics, he asserted that he's healthy enough to suit up.

"I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game. I'm available to play [April 3]. Right now. I'm available," he told reporters. "Do I look like I'm not available? No, you tell me. You guys have been around me. Do I look like I'm hurting? ... That's pretty much it. I don't know. I don't know what game is being played right here, I just don't wanna be a part of it."

On March 24, the National Basketball Players Association issued a statement arguing the Bucks are resting Giannis against his wishes.

It's worth pointing out Milwaukee is less incentivized to embrace tanking because it doesn't have full control of its 2026 first-round pick. If their position gets bad enough, their first-rounder conveys to the Atlanta Hawks by virtue of the 2020 Jrue Holiday trade and the New Orleans Pelicans' draft-day swap for Derik Queen.

Losing games does at least allow the Bucks, who have been eliminated from postseason contention, to improve their draft position.

The Athletic's Eric Nehm reported on March 18 the team approached Antetokounmpo about shutting him down for the year. He "firmly rebuffed" that approach with an eye toward instead playing again.