MILWAUKEE– Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points in his return to the starting lineup, helping the Milwaukee Bucks at the top of the Brooklyn nets 115-108 Thursday evening at Fiserv Forum.
Antetokounmpo missed two games with what the team described as hamstring tendinopathy. Tendinopathy is pain that usually results from overuse.
He was 9 of 19 from the field and had nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 35 minutes.
“You try to control what you can control,” Antetokounmpo said. “Things like this are going to pop up from time to time. A little unexpected, but at the end of the day, these are the cards you’ve been dealt, and you just have to keep understanding them, keep playing. pain, play despite adversity.
The Bucks were without Khris Middletonwho took time off after playing 33 minutes in a 122-119 loss at Boston, as the Bucks continue to manage his workload during his recovery from a sprained left ankle.
Middleton’s high ankle sprain caused him to miss 16 straight games before returning Sunday in a 140-129 win over the Phoenix Suns.
“He’s been out all these games and he’s playing great,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before Thursday’s game. “We just want to keep it where it is.”
The Bucks were without their three best players: Antetokounmpo, Middleton and seven-time NBA guard. Damien Lillard – all available for the same game since a victory on February 3 in Dallas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
