By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With multiple starters of the Milwaukee Bucks currently sidelined, Giannis Antetokounmpo is determined to play through his knee issue. He was relieved in helping to snap the three-game losing streak with the rout of the struggling Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
“Thank God we won a game. I was worried we were going to start tanking for the No. 1 pick,” he jokingly said following the game in Detroit. His side improved to 4-4, extremely early in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season.
“Obviously, I don’t know if I’m feeling my best,” he confessed on dealing with left knee soreness, “I have to get in rhythm a little bit more, can play better. But obviously, I feel like I’m needed at this time. My knee was bothering me the second half of the previous game, same knee, and it was easy to just like pull the plug, just stay out. They told me to stay out. But it’s not the time to do that.”
Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez are all out forcing head coach Mike Budenholzer to adjust the player rotations, extending playing time to additional members of the squad. Giannis, still available, went for 28 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, and four blocks in 27 minutes against the Pistons.
“This is the time to, not lead necessarily go out there score 50, 40, not that way. Just lead with your voice, lead in the locker room, bring the guys together and just play basketball,” added the Greek Freak, “Defend the way we defended today and just keep making shots, keep taking shots and things are going to go our way eventually.”
Antetokounmpo, 26, is still feeling the aftereffect of hyperextending his left knee during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. He went on to lead the Bucks to the championship and capture the Finals MVP award, before focusing on recovering through the offseason.
Up next on the 2021-22 schedule, a home fixture opposite the New York Knicks on Friday.
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