Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have had quite the year. The rampant trade rumors surrounding the face of the franchise were already crushing the vibes in Milwaukee. While Antetokounmpo remains with the Bucks, at least for the time being, the franchise’s dreadful year still has it on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. After three straight years of losing in the first round of the playoffs, the Bucks are on pace to miss the postseason altogether this year.
Antetokounmpo missed 31 games this season, mainly while nursing right calf strains, and with just 15 games left in the regular season and Milwaukee 5 1/2 games back of the East’s final play-in tournament spot, the Bucks need their star on the floor as much as possible. That pressure only magnified the tension in the building when Antetokounmpo had a scary moment in the second half during a win over the Pacers.
