Giannis Antetokounmpo has been no stranger to carrying the Milwaukee Bucks on his back, and despite dealing with a nagging calf strain, he doesn’t seem ready to slow down. The two-time MVP has played through the discomfort for five straight games—and if his 28-point, 19-rebound, seven-assist masterclass against the Denver Nuggets was any indication, he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

Now, with the Bucks heading to Dallas for a showdown against the Mavericks, all eyes are once again on Giannis. He’s officially listed as probable for the game, but let’s be real—if he could dominate Nikola Jokic and the defending champs while playing hurt, a depleted Mavericks squad isn’t exactly going to keep him sidelined.

Injury Concerns? Giannis Has Been Here Before

The Bucks may have listed Giannis on the injury report, but this is nothing new. He’s been managing the left calf issue while continuing to put up MVP-level numbers—averaging 30.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season while shooting an absurd 60.6% from the field.

And here’s the thing—this isn’t just about stats. It’s about presence. Giannis on the floor alters the game in so many different ways. They are an entirely different beasts even when he’s not at 100%—his ability to control the paint, force double teams and set up teammates is just too much to control.

Of course, he’s not the only one banged up. Damian Lillard, dealing with a hamstring issue, is also probable for Saturday’s game. While he hasn’t looked as explosive lately, he’s still putting up 25.4 points and 7.3 assists per game—and his deep-range shooting remains a game-changer.

However, a calf injury prevents Pat Connaughton from playing, meaning Milwaukee must rely on their new look bench. That could mean more minutes for Gary Trent Jr. or a bigger role for Brook Lopez, whose rim protection has been quietly elite all season. Let’s take a look at the Bucks’ depth chart.

Bucks Need to Break Their Road Struggles—And This Is Their Chance

Winning on the road hasn’t been easy for Milwaukee. They’re 12-16 away from home, and consistency outside of Fiserv Forum has been an ongoing issue.

But this is a prime opportunity to shift the narrative. Despite their solid 19-11 home record, injuries seriously hinder the Mavericks. Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and Anthony Davis are all out, meaning Dallas is paper thin in the frontcourt. P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin are day-to-day, leaving Kyrie Irving shouldering even more responsibility.

For a Bucks team that ranks seventh in the league in rebounding (43.9 per game), this is the type of game where they need to impose their will. Giannis is already a walking double-double, but if Lopez and Jericho Sims can control the boards and take advantage of Dallas’ lack of size, Milwaukee should have a serious edge.

At this point, Bucks fans know the drill—when Giannis is on the floor, Milwaukee always has a chance. His presence alone tilts the scales, and with the Mavericks missing key pieces, this could be the perfect chance for the Bucks to build some road momentum.

Of course, Lillard’s health is just as crucial. If he plays—and plays well—Milwaukee should be in control. But if his hamstring issue lingers, the Bucks could find themselves in a grind-it-out battle against Irving.

Either way, expect Giannis to set the tone early. Hurt or not, he’s coming to dominate.