Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo injures lower back, exits playoff game vs. Heat
MILWAUKEE – This wasn't what Milwaukee Bucks fans wanted to see in the first quarter of the team's first playoff game: Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was writhing on the court in pain.
He had just tried to drive the paint, but Miami Heat defender Kevin Love attempted to draw an offensive foul at the 4:13 mark of the first quarter on Sunday at Fiserv Forum. Love was called for the foul, but Antetokounmpo suffered an awkward fall on his lower back and was clearly in intense pain.
Antetokounmpo stayed down for about a minute before getting up and making 1 of 2 free throws.
Antetokounmpo stayed in the game, even hitting a tough layup, before leaving with 1:46 left in first quarter. He went into the back of the arena.
Antetokounmpo emerged back on the bench in the second quarter and checked back in the game at the 9:46 mark.
But he could only play a few minutes before getting replaced by Jae Crowder. Antetokounmpo headed to the locker room again and a few minutes later the team ruled him out with lower back contusion.
He ended the game with six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes for the top-seeded Bucks.
“There was an X-ray that was clear here,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’ll monitor him and see how he does, see how he wakes up, how he feels the rest of tonight and tomorrow.”
Game 2 of the series is Wednesday in Milwaukee, and the Bucks will hope their star is feeling better by then.
“We have to wait and see what the doctors say, most importantly what Giannis says,” Budenholzer said. “Certainly we’ve been blessed with him being resilient and quick to heal, but you’ve just got to take it day by day, see how he’s doing and see how he feels.”
Contributing: The Associated Press