Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star to miss start of NBA Playoff series vs. Pacers

The Bucks were dismantling the first-place Celtics on April 9 when they saw their season flash before their eyes.

All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee's 104-91 win over Boston. The Bucks claimed the No. 3 seed in the East, and any absence for Antetokounmpo would put their championship push at risk.

The MVP candidate has been as dominant as ever this season, averaging 30.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

What is Antetokounmpo's injury and how serious is it? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.

MORE: TSN's Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks

What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury?

Antetokounmpo collapsed to the floor with a non-contact injury in the Bucks' win over the Celtics. He inbounded the ball and tried to jog his way up the court before falling to the ground, holding his left leg.

Giannis Antetokounmpo limped to the Bucks locker room after suffering a non-contact injury to his calf.

Hope it's nothing serious 🙏pic.twitter.com/CDiJod7kbY

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 10, 2024

Antetokounmpo attempted to get up under his own power but could not. He was immediately helped to the sidelines by his teammates and hobbled to the locker room.

Antetokounmpo did not return to the game and was diagnosed with a left calf strain by the Bucks.

How long will Giannis Antetokounmpo be out?

The Bucks are expected to be without Antetokounmpo "for the start" of their first-round series against the Pacers, but are hopeful he can return "sometime later in the series," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday.

The update is dangerously vague, but it falls in line with the previous report that there was "real doubt for [Antetokounmpo's] status" in Game 1, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

After an MRI, it was determined that the Bucks star's left Achilles tendon is "fully intact" and "his return to play will come with how quickly his left calf strain heals", according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

After an MRI, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s left Achilles tendon is fully intact and his return to play will come with how quickly his left calf strain heals, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2024

The average time of recovery for Antetokounmpo's specific injury (a soleus strain) is approximately 17 days, according to Jeff Stotts, a certified athletic trainer. The injury occurred on April 9, so that timeline would, potentially, keep Antetokounmpo sidelined through Game 3 at the least.

With Game 1 just five days away, Antetokounmpo's window to recover is slim. He missed nine games this season. The Bucks own a 4-5 record in those games.

Bucks playoff schedule 2024

The No. 3 Bucks will take on the No. 6 Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. You can find their series schedule below.

Only Game 1 has been scheduled so far. Check back for updates as they become available.

*If necessary.