By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a much-needed win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, but the victory was clouded by an injury scare involving superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo appeared to hyperextend his left knee after landing awkwardly on a dunk following a signature spin move. While he briefly remained on the floor, the Greek Freak eventually exited to the locker room and did not return to the game.
Despite the concerning visual of the play, Antetokounmpo struck an optimistic tone post-game, indicating he does not currently plan to undergo an MRI.
“I’m just going to go back home, sleep, see how I feel tomorrow,” he said. “If I have a little bit of discomfort, then I’ll go from there. But as of right now, I’m not really bothered by it.”
The 31-year-old explained that his decision to stay active on a stationary bike after the incident was a calculated effort to prevent the joint from locking up. While he expressed a desire to return for the fourth quarter, he ultimately deferred to the Bucks’ medical staff.
“I felt like I could finish the game, but the training staff felt it wasn’t smart,” he noted. “I’ve just got to trust them.”
The injury is the latest setback in what has been a grueling season for the point forward, who has already missed a career-high 31 games due to various calf, groin, and ankle ailments. He had entered Sunday’s contest listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain that sidelined him for Milwaukee’s previous outing. Before his exit, Antetokounmpo was dominant, racking up 31 points and 14 rebounds in just 23 minutes of action.
With the win, the Bucks improved to 28–39 in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season and moved within 5.5 games of the Play-In zone. The Pacers, meanwhile, fell to 15–53 as they continue a season already mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
The contest also featured a heavy European presence. Indiana’s Croatian center Ivica Zubac tallied 10 points and 7 rebounds in 24 minutes, while Giannis’ brother, Thanasis, saw limited action for Milwaukee. The Bucks remained without French forward Ousmane Dieng (illness), and younger brother Alex Antetokounmpo remained on G League assignment with the Wisconsin Herd.
Despite the mounting physical toll, Giannis remained defiant regarding his playstyle. “I trust my body,” he said. “I’ve done that move a million times. Nothing changes now.”