By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo is nearing a return to action and has been labeled questionable to play against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
The Greek was also questionable before Wednesday’s game versus the Miami Heat in Kaseya Center, but he was eventually ruled out for a fourth straight contest due to a left adductor strain. His side suffered a sixth consecutive loss and fell to 8-11 in the 2025-26 Regular Season, sitting two games outside the Play-In zone of the Eastern Conference, and to 2-1 in East: Group C of the Emirates NBA Cup.
“I was very happy we decided what we decided. I was very uncomfortable with it. He really wanted to push, and that’s who Giannis is,” head coach Doc Rivers defended the medical staff and the decision for his best player to sit. “We just thought it was the right thing to do. We gotta protect him sometimes.”
The Bucks are facing elimination from the Cup in New York, after winning the in-season tournament and the Greek superstar being named Most Valuable Player last December. They need to beat the Knicks and get some help from the Atlanta Hawks against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic against the Detroit Pistons. Nevertheless, a decision to rush back the 30-year-old point forward to keep the Cup bid alive seems unlikely, especially considering the patience shown so far.
Over 13 appearances this season, Giannis tallied 31.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest.