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UPDATE: March 11, 5:41 p.m. — Antetokounmpo is being listed as questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Celtics. Eric Bledsoe is off the injury report and is expected to play.
UPDATE: March 11, 3:16 p.m. — Giannis practiced Wednesday and scrimmaged with full contact. He hasn’t been cleared by medical staff before being able to play in Thursday’s game vs. the Boston Celtics at home.
Giannis said he practiced and scrimmaged today with full contact. He wouldn’t commit to playing tomorrow, saying he needs to get through workouts tomorrow and be cleared by the medical staff first.
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) March 11, 2020
With Giannis out the other night, the Bucks opted to, well, rest every other notable player on their roster. Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe, every starter basically. I imagine if Giannis comes back vs. the Celtics that the Bucks will roll out a relatively full rotation for an important game.
UPDATE: March 8, 3:52 p.m. — Giannis was evaluated and the Bucks have ruled him out for the next two games on their road trip. He will be re-evaluated at home prior to their game March 12 against the Celtics.
I don’t think we need to overreact to Giannis’ MVP case and what the injury might do to it. It’s two games. It shouldn’t affect anything. The Bucks are running away with the East because of The Greek Freak. He’s still MVP frontrunner and it’s hard to see LeBron catching Giannis right now.
As for fantasy basketball, in season-long this is pretty tough news for Giannis owners. Two games could set you back if you’re trying to make the playoffs. Plus, there is a chance he misses more time as a precaution, so the absence could bleed into the playoffs if it hasn’t already. Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe owners are in a better spot. Scoop up Donte DiVincenzo if he’s available.
Milwaukee Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo will get a precautionary MRI on his left knee, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday afternoon. Giannis fell awkwardly on his knee in Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was able to stay in the game, but the Bucks are going to be cautious with the All-Star and MVP frontrunner.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is getting a precautionary MRI on his left knee, league sources tell ESPN. The MVP landed hard on the floor and tweaked the knee in second half of the loss to the Lakers Friday night, but stayed in the game.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2020
Antetokounmpo scored 32 points with 11 rebounds and six assists in a losing effort against L.A. The Greek Freak is the third leading scorer in the NBA at 29.6 points per game and is the frontrunner to win MVP at -2000 on DraftKings Sportsbook. LeBron James is behind him at +1000. If Giannis were to miss any time, LeBron could get himself closer to Giannis in the MVP conversation. The Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 53-10 and have already clinched a spot in the postseason.
If Giannis were to miss any time, it’s a direct upgrade for Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe heading into the fantasy basketball season-long playoff next week for most leagues. We could see Ersan Ilyasova back in the starting lineup at PF and Donte DiVincenzo should see increased minutes as well.
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