Giannis helped off with calf injury, undergoes tests

MILWAUKEE — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo exited the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 104-91 win over the Boston Celtics in the third quarter Tuesday night because of an injury to his left calf.

Antetokounmpo was heading up the court following a made 3-pointer from Celtics guard Derrick White when the Bucks star crumbed to floor without contact while grabbing at his left leg. He remained on the floor as the Bucks called a timeout, and his teammates helped carry him off the court and toward the locker room.

Antetokounmpo was officially ruled out of the game in the fourth quarter with what the team called a left soleus strain. The soleus is a muscle in the back part of the calf.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after the game that Antetokounmpo was undergoing an MRI exam on his calf and also would have his Achilles tendon tested.

Antetokounmpo finished the game 7-of-11 from the field with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. He left without speaking to reporters.

Asked about his concern level regarding Antetokounmpo’s injury, Rivers replied, “That’s a good question. High. But he’s Giannis. I think everyone probably feels the same way as I do right now. We’re just going hope for the best.”

Antetokounmpo was listed on the injury report prior to Tuesday’s game, starting the day as questionable with left hamstring tendinopathy before being upgraded to probable. He has missed three games since mid-March with the injury, including last Friday against the Toronto Raptors. He also missed a game on March 4 with left Achilles tendinitis.

Tuesday was just the fifth time in the last 30 games that the Bucks had Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton all available.

The Bucks had lost four consecutive games entering Tuesday, their longest losing streak since December 2022. With their win Tuesday, they now hold a 1½-game lead for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.