By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo remained sidelined with a right calf strain during Sunday’s matchup at Fiserv Forum, marking his 11th consecutive absence of the 2025–26 NBA Regular Season. Although the Greek Freak participated in a pregame workout, a promising sign for his recovery, he had already been ruled out for the contest. In his absence, the Bucks suffered a lopsided 122–94 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Doc Rivers’ squad, dropping their record to 24–31. Currently fighting to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Milwaukee is banking on Antetokounmpo’s imminent return to spark a late-season surge. His injury status remains a focal point alongside persistent trade rumors, which many expect to reignite following the conclusion of this season.
On Sunday, his brothers went from Thanasis managing just three points in limited action to Alex remaining unavailable while on assignment with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd. Additionally, French reserve Ousmane Dieng struggled, going scoreless on 0-of-4 shooting across 15 minutes.
Conversely, it was a celebratory night for Serbian head coach Darko Rajakovic, who marked his 47th birthday with a convincing road victory. The win propelled the Raptors to a 34–23 record, further strengthening their bid for a top seed in the East. Facing his former team, Georgia’s Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered a strong performance off the bench with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Austrian starting center Jakob Poeltl anchored the interior with six points and eight rebounds, helping Toronto dominate the paint.
Both sides now face home back-to-backs this Tuesday and Wednesday. The Raptors will host the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, while the Bucks prepare for pivotal visits from the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.