FILE — Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is injured against Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
The possible availability of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns might not be known until close to the tipoff of Tuesday’s game.
Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday and missed the final two games of that series.
Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said during Monday’s media availability that he doesn’t know if the two-time MVP will be on the floor for the opener in Phoenix.
“He’s had a good day,” Budenholzer said. “He’s making good progress. But I don’t have expectations either way.”
Asked what was holding Antetokounmpo back, Budenholzer said: “I’m just going to leave it. He did court work. So he’s making progress and we’re pleased that he’s making progress.”
Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 15 games this postseason.