Bucks Injury Update: Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Playing vs Minnesota Timberwolves? Availability Report on 2X MVP After All-Star Break

The Doc Rivers era in Milwaukee has not started how the Bucks front office imagined. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. are 3-7 with Rivers as their head coach. They have fallen to the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference standings despite former head coach Adrian Griffin giving them a solid 30-13 start. The Bucks look to turn things around in the second half of the season and will face the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow.

However, the latest report on Giannis Antetokounmpo has raised some concerns for Doc Rivers’ team. The Greek Freak has been listed as probable for tomorrow’s game as he is dealing with a knee injury. That means Giannis could miss the crucial game against Anthony Edwards and Co. Giannis’ absence could add more trouble for head coach Doc Rivers because he is the best player on the Bucks roster. Despite the Bucks’ recent struggles, Giannis has played well all season, averaging 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.

If Giannis misses tomorrow’s game, the Bucks will need Damian Lillard to step up and lead them to victory. Dame is coming off a great All-Star Weekend, winning the 3-point contest and the All-Star Game MVP trophy. He has been a perfect co-star alongside Giannis, averaging 24.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Dame will look to continue his incredible form and turn things around for the Bucks in the second half. Maybe Lillard will use Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Weekend advice as motivation. “You and Giannis are being too nice. When it’s all said and done, when it all don’t work out, three people will get blamed: Doc, you, and Giannis. So, you and Giannis gotta make sure the troops get it done.”

Will Doc Rivers use Giannis’ injury as another excuse?

Doc Rivers has refused to take any accountability for the Bucks’ horrible run since he became the head coach. After the Bucks suffered a humiliating loss to an extremely shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies team, Rivers wasted no time blaming his players. “We had some guys here, and we had some guys in Cabo.” Rivers also blamed the Bucks’ tough schedule for his 3-7 record. “Taking the job when you are about to go on the toughest road trip of the season is not the smartest decision.” Rivers said during the All-Star weekend.

Read More: Did The Lakers Try to Hire Doc Rivers Before Bucks Forced Him to Take Adrian Griffin’s Place?

Even JJ Redick blasted the Bucks’ head coach during a segment on First Take for never taking accountability. Those are harsh words coming from a player who was coached for several years by Doc. If Giannis does not play tomorrow, Doc Rivers could add his absence to his list of excuses for not winning.