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NBA Rumors: Giannis 'Progressing' in Calf Injury Recovery amid Bucks-Pacers Series

Julia StumbaughApril 24, 2024

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 9: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 9, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly making steady progress in his recovery from a left calf strain that has forced him to miss the first two games of his team's playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Giannis "is progressing in his recovery from a calf injury, doing some ball-handling drills and stationary jump shooting." Charania added that the injury carries a two-to-four-week recovery timeline from the date Antetokounmpo initially got hurt.

Antetokounmpo missed the final three games of the regular season with the injury and has not played since April 9.

He led the Bucks with 30.4 points and 11.5 points per game in 73 regular-season starts while collecting his eighth consecutive All-Star nomination.

Antetokounmpo spent the season developing pick-and-roll chemistry with Damian Lillard during Lillard's first season away from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bucks took Game 1 of their first-round series with the Pacers behind 35 points from Lillard, but they dropped Game 2 on Tuesday in a 125-108 loss.

Lillard scored 34 and Brook Lopez added 22 to help compensate for Antetokounmpo's absence, but the Pacers scorched the Bucks defense to the tune of 55.6 percent shooting from the field and 44.4 percent from three.

The Bucks will look to regain their series lead on Friday when Game 3 tips off in Indiana.