Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo underwent a recent procedure to clean up loose cartilage in his left knee, according to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Antetokounmpo’s status with Team Greece for the FIBA World Cup is now in question.
“When it comes to our players’ health we always work collaboratively with the player, his representative, and our performance staff to make the best decision possible,” Jon Horst, general manager for the Bucks, told The Athletic. “In the case of national team play, we work with our partners in those federations also. No decision has been made on whether Giannis will be with the Greek national team this summer.”
The Bucks signed Antetokounmpo to a five-year, $228.2 million designated maximum contract extension in December 2020. The future Hall of Famer will make $45.6 million next season.
In 63 games for the Bucks last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 55.3% from the floor, 27.5% from beyond the arc and 64.5% from the free-throw line. The seven-time All-Star recorded 46 double-doubles and six triple-doubles.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks won 58 games in the regular season and were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, Milwaukee lost to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Antetokounmpo hurt his back in Game 1 of the series and missed Games 2 and 3. The two-time MVP got injured just 10 minutes into Game 1 in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo put up 26 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists in Game 4 and 38 points, 20 rebounds and three assists in Game 5. However, it wasn’t enough to beat the Heat, who made it all the way to the 2023 Finals, where they lost to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in five games.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks re-signed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez this offseason in free agency. They also replaced head coach Mike Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin. Antetokounmpo and Middleton met with Griffin during the interview process.
One of the greatest players of all time, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He guided the Bucks to the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns, winning Finals MVP along the way.
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