The Bucks are rolling despite not being at full strength.
In addition to Khris Middleton, who has been sidelined since early February with a left ankle sprain, Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Monday's comeback win over the Clippers due to an Achilles injury.
After a slow start under head coach Doc Rivers, Milwaukee has won eight of its last 10 games to move into second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Bucks now trail the Celtics in first place by 7.5 games and lead the Cavaliers in third place by half a game.
How long will the Bucks be without Antetokounmpo as they try to strengthen their grip on the No. 2 seed? Here's the latest on his Achilles injury.
MORE: The biggest question facing each of NBA's title contenders
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury?
Antetokounmpo is dealing with left Achilles tendinitis.
The Bucks originally listed Antetokounmpo as questionable to play for their matchup with the Clippers on March 4. After testing out his injured Achilles in pregame warmups, he was ruled out.
Antetokounmpo was in visible discomfort while warming up.
Giannis Antetokounmpo testing out his injured achilles during warmups before Bucks-Clippers in Milwaukee.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 5, 2024
He has been ruled out for tonight's game.pic.twitter.com/I1hDMvMXbc
Rivers said that Antetokounmpo has been dealing with the injury for a few games.
The Bucks "aren't seeming overly worried" about Antetokounmpo's Achilles injury, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
How long is Giannis Antetokounmpo out?
Antetokounmpo went through warmups on Wednesday and has been cleared to play against the Warriors, per head coach Doc Rivers.
Antetokounmpo has appeared in 59 of a possible 62 games this season. Each game he has missed to date has been because of a different injury — a right calf strain, a right shoulder contusion and now left Achilles tendinitis. Antetokounmpo has also been listed on the injury report with right knee patellar tendinitis, although he has yet to miss time with that particular injury.
Antetokounmpo is having another MVP-caliber season despite those injuries, averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Following their victory over the Clippers without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will travel to California for meetings with the Warriors, Lakers, Clippers and Kings. They return to Milwaukee on March 14 for a game against the 76ers.
Here is Milwaukee's upcoming schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 6 | at Warriors | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 8 | at Lakers | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 10 | at Clippers | 3 p.m. | — |
| March 12 | at Kings | 10 p.m. | — |
| March 14 | vs. 76ers | 8 p.m. | — |
Giannis Antetokounmpo stats 2023-24
- 30.8 points per game
- 11.3 rebounds per game
- 6.3 assists per game
- 1.3 steals per game
- 1.0 blocks per game
- 3.4 turnovers per game
- 61.9 percent field goal shooting
- 30.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 66.1 percent free throw shooting
