Following the Milwaukee Bucks‘ shocking loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 on Sunday, the team provided an optimistic update on the status of injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who exited after a scary fall to the court in the first half.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer announced that X-rays on Antetokounmpo’s back came back “clear,” though his status for Game 2 is still uncertain.
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury late in the first quarter. Driving from the top of the key, Antetokounmpo attacked the rim, colliding with the Heat’s Kevin Love, before landing with a thud back first on the hardwood.
He lay motionless for a few seconds face down, favoring his back, before being picked up off the floor by his teammates.
The two-time MVP missed 19 games this season, but the Bucks fared well enough without him. Milwaukee went 11-8 without Antetokounmpo in the lineup, with two of those losses coming in the final two games of the season when the Bucks already had the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference sewn up.
Unfortunately for the Bucks, after Giannis left the game, the Heat took over, ultimately taking Game 1, 130-117.
Milwaukee had no answer for Jimmy Butler, who dominated much of the game. Butler finished with a game-high 35 points, adding 11 assists and five rebounds in the victory. Meanwhile, center Bam Adebayo came a rebound short of a double-double, posting 22 points and nine boards.
For the Bucks, without Antetokounmpo, they had trouble finding an offensive rhythm. Kris Middleton led the way scoring 33 points with nine rebounds and four assists.
The No. 8 seeded Heat take a stunning 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Miami will look to continue their winning ways in Game 2 on Wednesday, which tips off in Milwaukee at 9 p.m. EST.
