
Milwaukee (10-13 straight up, 10-13 against the spread) star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will probably be sidelined for the next 2-4 weeks after straining his right calf in Wednesday’s 113-109 win over Detroit as a 4.5-point home underdog.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player had recently missed four games, but he was back in the lineup for Milwaukee’s last three contests prior to leaving last night’s win in the first quarter with the noncontact injury. Fears of a possible torn Achilles were dismissed by head coach Doc Rivers after a preliminary MRI ruled that out.
The Bucks are 9-8 SU in the 17 games the nine-time All-Star has played in this season. He’s averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
Antetokounmpo is shooting at a career-best clip from both the field (63.9%) and 3-point range (43.5%). He’s made 63.5 percent of his free throws.
If Antetokounmpo misses a month, he’s not going to be eligible to win any end-of-season awards. NBA players are required to play in 65 regular-season games to receive awards and Antetokounmpo has finished in the top five of voting for NBA MVP honors in seven straight seasons.
Before last night’s injury, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have engaged the organization in talks about whether the best fit for him is in Milwaukee or elsewhere moving forward.
Antetokounmpo has already been a loyal solider for the Bucks, signing an extension several years ago during an NBA era in which many of the top players (LeBron James and Kevin Durant quickly come to mind) show no loyalty and bolt for other franchises using a lame “If I can’t beat ’em, I’ll go join ’em” mentality.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t done that throughout his career. If moving him for a king’s ransom is a move in the best interest of both parties, it might be time.
With Antetokounmpo sidelined for a minute, look for those discussions to ramp up.