MIAMI — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Tuesday’s 106-103 win over the Miami Heat because of swelling in his left knee.
Antetokounmpo, who had been probable on the team’s injury report leading up to Tuesday’s game despite being listed with a calf strain, went through shootaround Tuesday morning and did his pregame warmup routine before he felt the discomfort in his knee.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers got told about an hour before the game that Antetokounmpo was out, then huddled with coaches and adjusted the game plan accordingly. Even after the game, Rivers still wasn’t clear on what had happened and what flared with Antetokounmpo’s knee.
“Giannis doesn’t miss many games,” Rivers said. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it was the right thing to do.”
Damian Lillard carried the load with Antetokounmpo sidelined, posting a game-high 37 points and 12 assists.
Antetokounmpo has been on a tear this season, averaging a career-high 32.4 points on 60.8% shooting to go along with 11.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He will sit out his second game of the season; he sat out in a 116-114 loss on Nov. 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers because of a right adductor strain.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
