The Milwaukee Bucks have been struggling significantly this season compared to their rivals, especially with their former NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the court.
Persistent trade rumors arrived ahead of the NBA trade deadline, suggesting the team would move its franchise player in a deal. However, the trade deadline arrived, and Giannis remained with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Amid all of that, he was sidelined with a right calf strain, keeping him out of action for a significant stretch of games. While the Bucks have managed to go 6-4 in their last 10 games, having him on the court improves the team that much more.
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania (via sources), Giannis is expected to return to action tonight, marking his first time on the hardwood in over five weeks. That’s a welcome return for Milwaukee, which is currently 26-33 and outside of the playoff standings in the Eastern Conference.
The game is occurring in Milwaukee, so most likely the Greek Freak will get a warm round of cheers from the home crowd in support of seeing him back. They’ll face a Celtics team admirably led by Jaylen Brown during the absence of his star teammate, Jayson Tatum.
There’s a possibility that Tatum could also be returning before this season ends, based on how well his rehabilitation is going after recovering from surgery for the brutal torn right Achilles injury he suffered in the playoffs.
Even without Tatum, the Celtics have maintained second place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Detroit Pistons by just 5.5 games. Meanwhile, the Bucks need to make up some ground to get within the postseason discussion.
They’re just below the 30-31 Charlotte Hornets, who hold the No. 10 spot in the standings. While eight teams qualify for the playoffs from the Eastern and Western Conferences, the teams ranked 8th through 10th compete in the play-in tournament for the final two spots.
Having Giannis back in the lineup should be a significant boost for Milwaukee in securing one of those spots. The NBA champion and MVP has participated in 30 of his team’s games this season, averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.