Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Update: Greek Freak to Miss Game 6 but May Get Green Light for Game 7

After Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his left knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, he was again ruled doubtful for Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, July 3.

The team confirmed the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the road game against the Hawks at around 4 p.m. Friday, July 2.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar suffered a hyperextended left knee in the third quarter of Game 4 Tuesday night, June 29, in Atlanta. The Greek Freak landed awkwardly on his left leg in an attempt to beat Hawks center Clint Capela up top, CBS Sports reported.

According to WISN, Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer noted that they were looking at things positively in the absence of Giannis. He emphasized that it's an opportunity for "somebody else and everybody else" to step up, which was evident in the Game 5 home win.

Milwaukee Bucks bounced back without Antetokounmpo on Thursday night in Milwaukee for Game 5, where they won 123-122 and led the series 3-2. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo being sidelined due to the injury, he cheered for his teammates to inspire them to get the victory.

Budenholzer said that Antetokounmpo worked in the weight room Thursday, but he did not take the floor during the morning shootaround.

The Milwaukee squad was one win away from an NBA finals berth. The Bucks left Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport Friday afternoon for Atlanta without a public sendoff.

Giannis Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI Wednesday, June 30, and subsequent examination by team physician Dr. Carole Vetter of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network. The MRI confirmed the earlier diagnosis of hyperextension.

The Bucks team stated that once there is an update on the injury of Giannis, they will let everyone know. For Budenholzer, the prognosis of Antetokounmpo was pretty positive based on the news given the way the injury looked. He added that they would check the injury and consider it day-by-day.

Dr. Eric Pifel, an orthopedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Franklin, explained about the injury of Giannis Antetokounmpo and emphasized that the players have been playing for months and there is a huge chance of hyperextension.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday that sources told him there was "no structural damage" to Antetokounmpo's knee. However, he noted that there's no timetable for his return.

Game 6 is a must-win game for the Atlanta Hawks as it might be their last game of the season. The win would put the series to even and forced the Milwaukee Bucks to an East Finals Game 7.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Would Have Green Light for Game 7

After missing Game 5 of the East finals against the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night with a left knee injury, the Milwaukee Bucks have listed superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as doubtful for Game 6 Saturday.

However, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports noted that there is good news for the Milwaukee Bucks, as there is some belief that their superstar would be given the green light for a possible Game 7 if the Hawks were to extend the series.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo back on the floor in a possible Game 7, it would indicate that there is optimism about his availability in the NBA Finals if the Bucks can close out this series.

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