The Bucks will enter the All-Star break facing looming concerns about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health after the star forward suffered a wrist injury early in Thursday’s 112–100 road win over the Bulls.
Antetokounmpo exited the contest with 10:59 left in the second quarter after his right wrist landed awkwardly on the backboard stanchion following an attempt at a chasedown block on Bulls guard Coby White. The team announced Antetokounmpo would not return with a sprained wrist, ending the 28-year-old’s night with a two-point, seven-rebound and three-assist effort in nine minutes of action.
After the game, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters the team will continue to evaluate Antetokounmpo, who grabbed at his wrist numerous times after the play, in the coming days.
“We’re hopeful, the X-ray was clean,” Budenholzer said, via CBS. “He’s got a sprain. We’ll just, I think, see how he feels tomorrow, see how he feels the next few days and continue to evaluate it.”
Budenholzer also noted he’s unaware at this time if Antetokounmpo will play in the All-Star Game in Utah on Sunday, saying, “I have no idea,” when asked about his status. Antetokounmpo was set to enter Salt Lake City for his seventh All-Star appearance and third as an All-Star captain.
While it remains to be seen if Antetokounmpo plays on Sunday, the more glaring question will be if his wrist injury causes him to miss time once the season resumes for Milwaukee next Friday. The Bucks host the Heat on Feb. 24 and Suns on Feb. 26 before traveling for a game against the Nets two nights later.
Following Thursday’s win, the Bucks (41–17) enter the break on a 12-game winning streak and currently sit in second place in the East, 0.5 games behind the first-place Celtics (42–17).
