Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo announced on Twitter that he won’t play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup for Greece. The NBA champion is recovering from left knee surgery.
Antetokounmpo underwent a procedure to clean up loose cartilage in his left knee, so the two-time NBA MVP isn’t quite ready to suit for Greece in the FIBA World Cup. 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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
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 NBA All-Star recorded 46 double-doubles and six triple-doubles.
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 NBA playoffs in five games. Antetokounmpo hurt his back in Game 1 of the series and missed Games 2 and 3. The former Defensive Player of the Year 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 NBA Finals, where they lost to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in five games.
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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Giannis Antetokounmpo & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
One of the greatest players of all time, Antetokounmpo has career NBA 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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