Giannis Antetokounmpo, a top forward in the NBA, is set to make his return to the court this Friday against the New York Knicks. The Milwaukee Bucks confirmed his availability after he completed a successful pregame warm-up.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Injury Recovery
The Greek star had been sidelined due to a left adductor strain suffered on November 17 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. As a result, he missed four consecutive games and a portion of a fifth. His absence has significantly impacted the Bucks, who lost all five matches and are currently on a six-game losing streak.
Bucks Standings and Performance
With Antetokounmpo back, the Bucks aim to improve their record of 8-11, placing them as the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference. The return of their leading player is crucial as they struggle to regain momentum.
Impressive Stats for the Season
This season, Antetokounmpo has been a standout performer. He is averaging:
- 31.2 points per game
- 10.8 rebounds per game
- 6.8 assists per game
- 1.2 blocks per game
- 31.8 minutes of playtime per game
Challenges for Cole Anthony
In other team news, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed the struggles of guard Cole Anthony. After a promising start in his initial nine games, Anthony’s performance has significantly declined.
- First nine games: 11.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds per game
- Last nine games: 5.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds per game
- Shooting percentages have dropped to .314 for field goals and .125 from three-point range
Rivers acknowledged Anthony’s difficulties, stating the need for the team to support his development. The coach noted that the young guard tends to become overly critical of himself, which affects his performance. “We just gotta keep coaching him. The kid can play,” Rivers emphasized.
With Antetokounmpo’s return and the focus on supporting Anthony, the Bucks hope to turn their season around starting this Friday.
