Alejandro Avila
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Milwaukee may be screwed after this injury.
The Bucks are in danger of dropping Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Round 1 matchup against the Miami Heat after losing superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” left Sunday’s game early: heading back to the locker room in the first quarter after suffering an apparent back injury.
It was a “worst-case” scenario for Milwaukee.
Giannis, a two-time MVP, landed flat on his back after going for a layup and crashing with the Heat’s Kevin Love. Antetokounmpo was in clear pain after landing.
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Milwaukee announced shortly after the injury that Antetokounmpo had been downgraded to Out for the remainder of the contest, putting the one-seeded Bucks in risky territory of not just dropping Game 1 but the entire series if their MVP is seriously injured.
Antetokounmpo left the contest with six points and three rebounds (-9).
Antetokounmpo’s Injury Could Seal Bucks’ Fate
The Bucks continue to face uncertainty with the health of its All-Stars. Veteran swingman Khris Middleton was dealing with a bothersome right knee at the end of the regular season. He reaggravated a knee injury on Apr. 5 against the Chicago Bulls. Middleton, as reported by The Athletic, said he would be ready to step up under any circumstance in the playoffs.
“We gotta be ready for any type of circumstances, playing any amount of minutes, so if need be, I’d play 55 minutes,” Middleton said. “Hopefully, I’ll be out there and able to do it.”
Miami held a 13-point advantage, 68-55, at the half. Miami held on for the win, 130-117.
Also suffering a major loss, Miami announced at halftime that guard Tyler Herro suffered a broken right hand. As a starter and major contributor from beyond the arc, Herro’s absence will hamper an already weak offense in Miami that relies heavily on veteran Jimmy Butler.
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