Injuries on injuries on injuries, that’s what has been the common theme of the NBA Playoffs this season. The lack of rest in the offseason and high frequency of games in the regular season really took a toll on the bodies of the NBA Superstars. One of it’s most recent victims was Giannis Antetokounmpo.
NBA All-Star teams this season
West:
Chris Paul
Mike Conley
Donovan Mitchell
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony DavisEast:
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Jaylen Brown
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joel EmbiidThat’s actually the list of injured All-Stars this playoffs 😭 pic.twitter.com/Vx8lZqylEc
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 30, 2021
Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks vs the Atlanta Hawks was hard game to watch. It begun without Trae Young who also injured himself in Game 3. The Hawks went in short handed but were still extremely dominant.
Milwaukee were down 8 points against the Hawks with 7:20 left in the 3rd. Lou Williams, who finished as the game’s top scorer, threw up a lob for Clint Capela. Giannis Antentokounmpo is a former DPOY and had to contest the dunk attempt. But on his way down his left knee got hyperextended.
Also Read: When Was the Last Time the Milwaukee Bucks Made the NBA Finals?
The entire arena went stone cold silent as Giannis was on the floor in pain. His Brother helped him off the court. He left the game and did not return in the eventual loss of the Bucks. The series is now tied 2-2 with the best player probably out for a significant time.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks win without Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The Milwaukee Bucks do have the roster to be able to beat the Hawks in the absence of Trae Young. That is obviously if Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton decide to be efficient at scoring the ball. If Trae Young returns, there is no one stopping the Hawks from getting to the NBA Finals.
Giannis was having a historic offseason.
Players with 25 PPG, 10 RPG, 5 APG, 50 FG% in a single playoff run (min 15 games):
— Larry Bird
— LeBron James
— Giannis AntetokounmpoHoping he avoided serious injury. pic.twitter.com/SQYvoxXdqz
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 30, 2021
In a list with just Larry Bird and LeBron James is elite company. The Bucks were overwhelming favorites but his injury changes the entire landscape of the situation. The only thing the Bucks can do is use this as motivation to win the series for their captain Giannis.
Celebrity Reactions to Giannis’s injury
When a superstar player of his caliber goes down, the entire world reacts. Giannis got prayers and wishes sent to him from Fans and others alike. Some celebrities of the sports world tweeted out this for Giannis.
LeBron James, who has been extremely vocal on the health of NBA Players tweeted this,
Awww nah man! WTF 🙏🏾 @Giannis_An34
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 30, 2021
We also saw NFL Superstar Patrick Mahomes II tweet this out,
Prayers up @Giannis_An34 man!
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 30, 2021
He also added this,
Hate injuries man…..
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 30, 2021
Former NBA star Jamal Crawford said this,
Aw man !!! Prayers up for Giannis 🙏🏾
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) June 30, 2021
And Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant, who has reacted to everything happening in the NBA shared this,
f*** injuries dawg
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) June 30, 2021
Trae Young, who also missed Game 4 but saw Giannis getting injured in front of his eyes tweeted this,
Sending my thoughts & prayers to @Giannis_An34 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) June 30, 2021
Bradley Beal tweeted this,
Prayers up @Giannis_An34 !!!
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) June 30, 2021
And WNBA star Candace Parker was heartbroken,
I just can’t… my heart breaks for Giannis. Hoping he’s ok 💔
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) June 30, 2021
His injury will be further diagnosed but people are afraid that it could be a torn ACL. However, that is the worst case scenario for the Bucks and we hope Giannis makes a speedy recovery.
Also Read: Atlanta Hawks Want NBA to Take Action Against Giannis Antetokounmpo For This Reason
