Giannis Antetokounmpo maintains he is healthy enough to play. The Milwaukee Bucks say he is hurt, and they have kept him off the court for the past 10 games.
The dispute is on the radar of the NBA, which is investigating the situation, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Friday.
Before the Bucks lost 133-101 on Friday to the visiting Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo said, “I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game. I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available. Do I look like I’m not available? … I don’t see myself in the first 12. I don’t see myself in the starting lineup.
“I don’t know what game is being played right here, I just don’t wanna be a part of it.”
Antetokounmpo last played on March 15, when he sustained a hypertension of his left knee and a bone bruise in Milwaukee’s victory over the Indiana Pacers. The team is sticking to its assertion that Antetokounmpo still isn’t ready to return.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said following the Friday game, “The tough part of all this is I’m in the middle and I have nothing to do with it. Coaches don’t decide any of this but the problem with our league is the coaches are the ones sitting out front. We have to sit here and answer this stuff. And I think there are two sides to this, I will tell you that. But I don’t want to get too involved in it.”
The National Basketball Players Association called out the Bucks on Tuesday for their handling of the two-time league MVP.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in its statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”
Rivers said Wednesday in response to the NBPA’s statement, “He’s just not healthy. He’s progressing. … We’re just trying to get Giannis clear and healthy. That’s our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.”
Milwaukee has lost eight of the past 10 games without Antetokounmpo, falling to 30-47 on the season and out of contention for the postseason. The Bucks currently have the 10th-worst record in the NBA, which would give them a 3% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Antetokounmpo, 31, is averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists through 36 games this season. Through 13 NBA seasons, the 10-time All-Star has averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 boards and 5.0 assists.
