By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks lost Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals but that was the least of their concerns as they also lost Giannis Antetokounmpo to a knee injury.
Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextended left knee injury early in the second half after contesting an alley-oop thrown to Clint Capela. The two-time MVP landed awkwardly on his left leg, visibly putting stress on his knee.
Giannis left the court with the help of his teammates and with a limp. He addressed the team after the game in the locker room and his status will be updated after further testings that should be done throughout the day.
Coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t have any updates on the injury of his superstar player but, if that’s any comfort, knows that Giannis will allow himself to be sidelined only if that becomes utterly necessary.
“I just know historically it’s impossible to keep him off the court. It’s impossible to keep him away from his teammates, keep him away from his team. My guess is he probably wants to try to play and if not let his teammates know that he’s there for them,” the coach said.
PJ Tucker doesn’t know what awaits either but he expects the team to cope with it: “It’s not great, but it’s an opportunity for somebody else and everybody else to step up. It’s the Eastern Conference finals. There are no excuses.”
And Khris Middleton believes the squad is capable to do so: “We’ll see what happens with Giannis. It would be great if he plays, but if not, we still have a capable team of going out there and winning.”
While opponents on the court, the Atlanta Hawks players sent their prayers Giannis’s way including himself injured Trae Young, Clint Capela, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Sending my thoughts & prayers to @Giannis_An34 ??????
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 30, 2021
HUGE thoughts and prayers ?? ?? @Giannis_An34
— Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) June 30, 2021
Prayers up for my guy @Giannis_An34 ??
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) June 30, 2021