Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Play Tonight? Key Injury Updates Before Bucks vs. Sixers Season Opener

“The most important thing for me is to stay healthy and to be available.” During Media Day, Giannis Antetokounmpo made his top priority for this season extremely clear. Especially after he missed last season’s playoffs due to a calf injury. And the day has finally arrived to put his money where his mouth is. But as the Bucks prepare to face the Sixers in tonight’s season opener, The Greek Freak unfortunately finds himself back on the injury report.

Yes, it is not certain if Giannis will suit up tonight because he has been listed as Probable’ by the Bucks. That’s because he is dealing with right patella tendinitis. Well, that surely puts his aim of being available to the test as he has begun facing health concerns from the very first game. However, he could end up playing tonight if he is cleared by the medical staff.

Even in the preseason, he made only two appearances. But he looked in great form, averaging 22 points and recording one double-double with ten rebounds. Surely, the Bucks will need Giannis on the court to increase their chances of winning. More so because Khris Middleton has already been ruled out as he is still recovering from his bilateral ankle surgery.

Well, Khris has been dealing with ankle issues for quite some time. That’s why he played only 55 games last season. And while he rehabs from surgery, the Bucks are being very cautious about his return, which is why he did not play any preseason game. Moreover, it is still uncertain when he will return to action. Sure enough, that makes Giannis’ availability status even more crucial.

Giannis Antetokounmpo hopes to do better than last season claiming the Bucks were ‘All Over the Place’

All the hope that Damian Lillard’s arrival brought to Milwaukee was immediately shattered when they got knocked out in the first round. Despite a stacked roster, Giannis addressed what went wrong, “I feel like last year it just felt, we felt like we were all over the place.” Yes, from adding a new superstar to hiring a new head coach mid-season, the Bucks had to make a lot of adjustments on the go. But with a year under their belt as teammates, Giannis hopes for a better outcome this season, “This year we have a little more time to be prepared.”

Moreover, his aim is to be competitive again, “We just gonna take it day by day and try to build in what we have and built in last few months and hopefully, that can put us in a better position to compete this season.” For two seasons, they have not won a playoff series. But Giannis is looking to change that this year. And about tonight, even if Giannis does not play, the Bucks might sneak a win because even the Sixers are set to miss Paul George and Joel Embiid because of their injury concerns. Obviously, Joel is still dealing with his lingering knee issues while PG is recovering from the hyperextended knee he suffered during the preseason. Do you think the Bucks can start their season with a win despite Giannis’ injury concerns?