Giannis Antetokounmpo is “close” to returning from injury, says Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who described the “relief” in the camp after speculation that the two-time MVP might be traded.
The 31-year-old forward remained at the club after Thursday’s trade deadline, and Rivers said the other players were “skipping around the gym” after it was confirmed he would be staying put.
Antetokounmpo has been limited to 30 games this season because of injury and has not played since suffering a calf strain on 23 January.
“He’s going to play when he’s healthy – he’s getting close,” said Rivers.
“He’s working out. He looks good. So I would say hopefully sooner than later.”
The Bucks claimed their third consecutive win on 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 have a 6-14 losing record when playing without Antetokounmpo, but have won 15 of their 30 games when he has been in the team.
Antetokounmpo averages 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game and a 65% shooting success this season, earning him a place in the NBA All-Star game.
He has completed a workout on court before the past three Bucks games and posted a clip on social media from the film The Wolf of Wall Street after Thursday’s trade deadline passed, along with a message: “Legends don’t chase. They attract.”
“It was a relief,” Rivers said. “I thought Giannis’ tweet was like a unifying thing for all the players.”
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