Giannis' Injury Status Discussed By Bucks GM as Star Insists He's Healthy Amid NBA Investigation

The Milwaukee Bucks are eliminated from playoff contention with just three games remaining in the season, but the Giannis Antetokounmpo saga continues to make headlines.

While the star player insists he is healthy enough to play, he did not take the court for Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets and hasn't appeared in a game since March 15. Bucks general manager Jon Horst told Eric Nehm of The Athletic a bone bruise is the reason Antetokounmpo is still sidelined in the latest comments about the situation.

"He's not cleared to play yet in a game," Horst said Tuesday. "And we're going to continue to evaluate it. I don't know what the outcome in that world will be, but the only lens has been to make our best professional judgment for him and for us.

"And it has nothing to do with draft picks. It has nothing to do with tanking. It has everything to do with the health of the player."

Despite these comments, it is in Milwaukee's best interest to lose games down the stretch this season. It is eliminated from the playoffs, and even a couple of additional losses could make the difference in draft positioning.

And having a star such as Antetokounmpo on the floor could turn losses into wins as the team plays out the string on the lost season.

The situation escalated Friday when the 10-time All-Star said the entire situation was "a slap in the face," per Nehm.

"I've never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that's like—I'm saying it publicly—I want to f–-ing play. You know what I'm saying? I don't think I've seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great. There should be. I don't know. There should be. Until we figure something out."

His comments came after the National Basketball Players Association released a statement suggesting the NBA was not enforcing the player participation policy:

Nehm noted the NBA found the Bucks and Antetokounmpo did not agree on his return-to-play protocol as part of its investigation with the team saying he needed to play in three-on-three situations during practices.

"Listen, I think he's been working to get himself back because he wants to play, and I love that he wants to play," Horst said Tuesday. "And I think we are continuously on a day-by-day basis evaluating, in our professional judgment, whether or not that's the right thing and the lens is his health. And that's what's best for the organization."

He also said the future Hall of Famer has "been given a rehab plan."

Horst's comments come after ESPN's Shams Charania reported Monday (1:30 mark) that Antetokounmpo wants to play with his brothers, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo, and is "making it very clear behind the scenes that's his goal."

If he is going to accomplish that goal, he will need to return to the court quickly.

After all, the Bucks play Wednesday, Friday and Sunday before what could be a long offseason where their franchise centerpiece's future is a constant talking point after this situation and his inclusion in trade rumors prior to the deadline.