Doc Rivers addresses Giannis' Game 1 availability

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Bucks' Doc Rivers addresses Giannis Antetokounmpo's Game 1 availability

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 4/16/24

The Milwaukee Bucks received some brutal news on the Giannis Antetokounmpo front on Monday after it was revealed that the former back-to-back MVP is now set to miss the first part of their opening-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. This is an undeniably significant blow to the Bucks' chances against the same team that defeated them four out of five times in the regular season.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has not lost all hope, though. In fact, the tenured shot caller provided an optimistic update ahead of Game 1 on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Rivers refused to officially rule Antetokounmpo out for Sunday’s series opener. According to Coach Doc, Giannis has been progressing impressively well on his road to recovery from a problematic calf strain:

“He’s doing well,” Rivers said Tuesday, according to the Associated Press (h/t Bally Sports). “He’s walking around, looks good. I can say (he’s) farther than we thought he would be, but just not ready yet.”

Rivers did note that the decision on whether or not the eight-time All-Star will be available for Game 1 will be up to the medical team. At this point, it appears that Rivers is still holding out hope that Antetokounmpo will somehow be ready to go come Sunday.

If there’s anyone who can defy the odds in terms of injuries, it’s Antetokounmpo. He has done it in the past, and the Bucks are hoping that he’s able to get through this one again for the sake of their championship aspirations.