Two-Time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo Gets an Injury Scare in Bucks’ Pre-Season Loss to the Mavericks

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the talk of the town this off-season. Many teams and NBA fans alike are waiting for the answer to one question. Whether the Greek Freak will sign the contract extension or not.

Amidst all of this, the pre-season games have begun in the NBA. Giannis and the Bucks took to the court to battle the Dallas Mavericks yesterday.

During the match, Giannis got a major scare when Mavs’ Dorian Finney Smith collided with him and accidentally hit his eye.

The 2-time MVP dropped on the floor and it initially seemed like a real cause for concern. But Antetokounmpo shrugged it off to score 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the match.

But it was not enough for the Bucks to pick up the W against the high flying Mavs who ultimately defeated them 112-102. The Bucks have another game against the Mavs tomorrow.

They then face the New Orleans Pelicans before starting their regular season against the Boston Celtics. The team has a string of tough games from the start, as they face the Celtics, Warriors, and the Heat within the next 5 games.

The priority for the Bucks’ front office will be to ensure that Giannis signs that big extension with them.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo might not sign the contract extension?

The Bucks were too fast to bring in 2 great players in Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic to the team. It looked like they were determined to convince their star to stay with the team.

But there was something fishy about the Bogdanovic trade. Before the off-season had even kicked off, the trade was confirmed. This did not bode well with the NBA, who immediately canceled the trade.

After the Bogdanovic trade fell through, the 2-time MVP signing the extension became a game of chance for the Bucks. The team has already given up too much to bring in Holiday, who is an elite defender.

They cannot lure in another star. If they intend to do so, they will have to give up key starters to bring in a disgruntled star like James Harden.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks haven’t had outstanding success till now. They always have one of the best records in the East but have failed to replicate that in the Playoffs, despite having the 2-time MVP on their side.

With his peak approaching, Giannis will look to make the most of it and will be eager to win the championship with a team like the Miami Heat or the Golden State Warriors, or even the defending champions Lakers.

What’s more, the Greek Freak won’t have to carry these sides single-handedly owing to the star-studded roster that they boast of.

Antetokounmpo has always claimed that he loves Milwaukee, but with aging stars around him, and his prime inching closer, Giannis moving on to greener pastures is a real possibility; one that the Bucks would like to nip in the bud.