The Milwaukee Bucks played its first preseason game of the year against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.
Detroit won the game over Milwaukee 120-87 in a game that Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in. It would not be a surprise to see Antetokounmpo not play at all during the preseason and wait until the first game of the season to play.
Sep 30, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) poses for a picture during Media Day at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton did not play on Sunday night against the Detroit Pistons. Bobby Portis Jr. and Damian Lillard also got play time for Milwaukee in the first preseason game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Of the Milwaukee Bucks Makes a Crucial Statement Ahead Of the 2024-2025 NBA SeasonOn Friday after practice, Antetokounmpo spoke to the media. It seems as if he doesn’t have any interest in preseason games and just wants the regular season to begin. He told Eric Nehm of The Athletic:
Antetokounmpo missed the final three games of the regular season last year with a calf injury and also missed all six games against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs because of it. It isn’t a surprise that he is disinterested in preseason action because he probably doesn’t want to get injured in a useless game.
Speaking of injuries, Khris Middleton is already out because of ankle surgery he underwent during the offseason. On Sunday during the preseason game, Trent Jr. suffered a left elbow hyperextension injury against the Pistons. Those are two key starters for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024-2025 season.
There could be a chance that Antetokounmpo will play in the preseason before the first game against the Philadelphia 76ers in a couple of weeks. The Bucks need to keep their top players healthy at all costs before a very critical 2024-2025 NBA season begins for them.
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