Giannis Antetokounmpo is “close” to returning from injury, said Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who described the “relief” in camp after speculation the two-time MVP could be traded.
The 31-year-old forward remained at the club after Thursday’s trade deadline, and Rivers said the other players were “jumping in the gym” after it was confirmed he would stay put.
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Antetokounmpo was limited to 30 games this season due to injury and has not played since injuring his calf on Jan. 23.
āHeāll play when heās healthy, heās getting close to it,ā Rivers said.
“He’s training. He looks good. So hopefully sooner rather than later.”
The Bucks earned their third straight victory Friday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 105-99, but remain 12th in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, three wins behind the Charlotte Hornets in the final play-off spot.
The Bucks are 6-14 losing when playing without Antetokounmpo, but have won 15 of their 30 games when he was on the team.
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Antetokounmpo is averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game and shooting 65% this season, earning him a spot in the NBA All-Star Game.
He did an on-court workout before the Bucks’ last three games and posted a clip from the movie The Wolf of Wall Street on social media after Thursday’s trade deadline, along with a message: “Legends don’t chase. They attract.”
āIt was a relief,ā Rivers said. āI thought Giannisā tweet was a unifying force for all players.ā
