MILWAUKEE – After a full day of trade rumors, more immediate concerns have arisen regarding the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered a non-contact injury during the Milwaukee Bucks’ 113-109 victory against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The Bucks confirmed that Antetokounmpo has a right calf strain and he exited the game.

• Doc Rivers, the Bucks’ coach, mentioned that the medical staff has likely ruled out an Achilles injury.**

“He’s undergoing an MRI right now; we should know more by the end of the night,” Rivers stated. “I was unsure of the injury; all I wanted was for the trainers to take care of him, so he was quickly taken to the hospital.”

Just under three minutes into the game, Antetokounmpo assisted AJ Green for an easy layup as he drove along the baseline. As he turned to head back up the floor, he suddenly collapsed and signaled the bench for help. He remained seated on the court until Kevin Porter Jr. took a foul to halt the play.

Antetokounmpo was able to walk off the court unassisted after being lifted to his feet. Initially, he sat on the bench before heading to the locker room, although footage showed him slowly walking through the tunnel.

Bobby Portis shared that Antetokounmpo was keeping track of the game from the hospital and reached out to his teammates post-game.

“What’s wild is that Giannis was the first to text the team group chat: ‘Good job guys, way to get the win,’” Portis said. “He showed immediate support for his teammates after the win. I haven’t spoken to him personally yet, but we are all praying for him, hoping he’s alright.”

While it’s still premature to determine how long Antetokounmpo will be sidelined, his initial reaction was concerning. His recovery timeline will depend on the results of his imaging. This injury poses a significant setback for the Bucks, who are currently placed 10th in the Eastern Conference at 10-13, despite their recent win.

Antetokounmpo’s season statistics prior to the injury stood at 30.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on 63.9% shooting. He was ranked fourth in scoring and was positioned to earn All-Star and All-NBA honors once again. A long-term absence might jeopardize those honors, considering the <65-game threshold for major awards.

Additionally, there are ongoing discussions between Antetokounmpo and his agent regarding his future with the Bucks, with a resolution anticipated soon; however, this injury could affect potential trade negotiations as well. Coach Rivers denied any claims that Antetokounmpo requested a trade.

“Giannis has never asked to be traded. I can’t stress that enough,” Rivers stated. “He loves Milwaukee and the Bucks. I talk to him every day, he assures me of his commitment to the team.”