Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for at least another week due to a left calf injury, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday.
Giannis Ruled Out of All-Star Game
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers confirmed that Antetokounmpo will not participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, where he was set to play for Team Chuck in the event’s new four-team format.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select his replacement.
Giannis and HC Doc Rivers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“We’ve just been monitoring it, and it just hasn’t improved enough for us to play him,” Rivers said.
“If this was a playoff game, would he play? Probably yes. But this is not. And we want to make sure he’s playing in the playoffs.”
Games Giannis Will Miss
Antetokounmpo was already ruled out of the Bucks’ 135-127 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
He will also miss upcoming games against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before the All-Star break, bringing his total absence to at least six straight games.
He is expected to return shortly after the break, with Milwaukee’s first game back on Feb. 20 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Impact of Giannis’ Absence on the Bucks
Milwaukee’s performance has dipped without Antetokounmpo this season:
With Giannis Without Giannis
Record: 23-18 Record: 4-5
Points Per Game: 115.4 Points Per Game: 108.7
Field Goal %: 49% Field Goal %: 45%
Points in the Paint: 45.1 Points in the Paint: 34.9
Opponent PPG: 113.4 Opponent PPG: 108.9
“We’re really hoping that when we come out of the break, we have our team,” Rivers added.
Antetokounmpo’s Dominant Season
Giannis dunks the ball during a game. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
Despite injuries, Antetokounmpo has been among the NBA’s top performers this season, averaging:
31.8 points per game (2nd in NBA behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
12.2 rebounds per game
60.8% field goal shooting
The two-time MVP was named an NBA All-Star for the ninth consecutive season after leading the fan vote.
Milwaukee will now focus on managing his recovery to ensure he is fully fit for the playoffs, especially after missing last year’s first-round loss to Indiana with a similar calf issue.
