Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played a game since Jan. 23 due to a right calf strain. His absence has affected the Bucks’ standing, and they are now 26-33, 11th in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately for the team, they received great news on Monday.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo will play his first game back after missing more than a month of action. The Bucks are set to face the Boston Celtics tonight, and they will have their best player.
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“Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return tonight against the Boston Celtics after missing the last 5-plus weeks with a right calf strain, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported.
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Charania did not report on Antetokounmpo’s minutes. However, it’s expected that the Greek Freak’s minutes will be limited, given that he spent more than five weeks on the sidelines.
Antetokounmpo is extremely important for the Bucks. He’s appeared in 30 games, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 64.5% shooting. The 10-time All-Star wants to make the most out of the last few weeks of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Since they are at the bottom half of the standings, the Bucks are determined to improve their record and potentially make the playoffs. So far, the best way for them to make the postseason is through the Play-In Tournament.
Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return, an ESPN analyst believes the Bucks have no chance in the playoffs
Having Giannis Antetokounmpo back in the lineup means the Bucks want to make a push for the playoffs. However, not everyone likes the idea of Milwaukee competing in the Eastern Conference this season. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, he thinks it’s best if the team doesn’t make the postseason and just tanks.
“There’s a tanking epidemic because that’s the smartest strategy,” MacMahon said. “This is not in the Bucks’ best long-term interest. We’re not going to pretend the Bucks have a chance in hell of doing anything in the Eastern Conference this year.
“The Bucks do not have any chance of doing anything. They’re not going to win a single playoff game. I will say that right now.”
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo this season, the Bucks have struggled. However, they are determined to try and give it a chance this postseason now that their best player is back. Milwaukee isn’t viewed as a potential threat in the playoffs, but stranger things have happened in the NBA.
With Antetokounmpo back, the team has a chance to make a run for a playoff spot and prove the doubters wrong.
Edited by Reign Amurao