Giannis Antetokounmpo shockingly ruled out of critical NBA Cup heat game

On By Littum

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo was downgraded to questionable a while ago and now he has officially been ruled out.

ESPN’s Shams Charania shared the news via Twitter/X.

Antetokounmpo is out with a calf strain. He has been stuck on the injury report due to a lingering knee problem, but the calf strain is new.

This will be Antetokounmpo’s second missed game of the season and his first time missing an NBA Cup contest.

The Bucks have recently started to get into a groove and are winners of four in a row and six of their last seven. They went 2-8 through their first 10 games, but now sit at 8-9, good enough for sixth in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks are finding their footing, thanks in large part to their superstar and two-time MVP.

The MVP candidate has been sensational, especially in the last 10 game appearances, as he averaged 33.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.0 blocks in 34.8 minutes per game.

Antetokounmpo recently won Eastern Conference Player of the Year. He averaged 32.5 points per game. game, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists, leading his team to a 4-0 record on the week.

Tuesday’s game will be challenging as they will take on the team they battled with over the years in the playoffs, the Heat. The Heat will be fully healthy on their side. Miami is 3-2 in their last five games and looking for their second straight win.

The Bucks have won four of their last five and will be without Tyler Smith and fellow All-Star Khris Middleton.

Middleton has not played this season as he rehabs from two ankle surgeries last season. The good news, though, is that they may be back sometime after Thanksgiving.

ESPN’s Shams Charania said Middleton has taken the next step in his return-to-play process by completing a five-on-five game with the team on Monday.

The Bucks will need the others to step up like fellow All-Star guard Damian Lillard. Lillard will see some extra use without Antetokounmpo on the court.

Instead of Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will go small with Lillard, AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr., Taurean Prince and Brook Lopez.

Milwaukee will look to get to .500 for the first time since their 1-1 start.

More Bucks: Free Agent Former Bucks Star Signs with West Contender