MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged feeling rusty during Monday night’s 108-81 loss to the Boston Celtics, his first game in over five weeks after straining his right calf. Despite the defeat, Antetokounmpo expressed gratitude for being back on the court after the longest injury-related absence of his career.

Antetokounmpo finished the game with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists.

“I’m happy to be on the court,” he said after Monday’s game. Giannis Antetokounmpo

He continued, It doesn’t matter if I play 18 minutes, 20 minutes, 22 minutes, whatever, I’m happy to be there. Obviously I didn’t play well tonight, but I’m happy to be there, being able to support my teammates in any way I can and just do what I love, which is playing basketball.

Previous Injury History

Antetokounmpo has a history of returning from injuries ahead of schedule. He famously recovered from a hyperextended right knee during the 2021 playoffs to participate in the NBA Finals. He initially hoped for a similar swift recovery from this calf injury, which also sidelined him for three weeks in December, but ultimately missed 15 games after re-injuring the calf against the Denver Nuggets on January 23.

“I’m 31 years traditional,” Antetokounmpo said. Giannis Antetokounmpo

He added, I just have to be smarter going forward, given that things I could do before, I may not be able to do now.

Bucks’ Strategy and Playoff Outlook

Bucks coach Doc Rivers indicated before the game that Antetokounmpo would be on a minutes restriction, playing 25 minutes on Monday. Rivers emphasized the need for a cautious approach to his return.

“I’m not going to overdo it,” Rivers said before the game. Doc Rivers

He continued, He hadn’t played in a long time, so we just brought him back. It’s not like we had a hard workout or target practice this morning, so it’s not the best way to obtain it back. But since it’s available, you place it in and you know how to play.

The return came after the NBA trade deadline, where both Antetokounmpo and the Bucks explored potential future options. The team remains committed to demonstrating to their star player that his best chance at another championship remains in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee currently holds a 26-34 record, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the final play-in spot.

Looking Ahead

Antetokounmpo reiterated his desire to return this season, stating he never considered shutting down for the remainder of the year.

“Right now, to be honest, I’m happy to be there,” he said. Giannis Antetokounmpo

He added, I’ve dealt with three injuries this year and I’m happy to be doing what I’m passionate about. We have 24 games left. There are 24 fights.

Did you know?

Giannis Antetokounmpo has consistently defied recovery timelines throughout his career, often returning to play sooner than initially projected.