Giannis undergoes surgery, FIBA World Cup in doubt

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has had surgery on his left knee, the team confirmed Wednesday, leaving the basketball star's participation for Greece in August's FIBA World Cup in doubt.

"He had a routine surgery on his left knee, and it went great," Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin said on Wednesday.

"Everything went as planned, and we expect him back ready to go in training camp," he added.

The Bucks are expected to begin their camp in early- to mid-September with the World Cup starting on August 25 and running until September 10.

The Athletic cited a league source as saying that Antetokounmpo's availability for Greece is "in question" after what it described as surgery to "clean up loose cartilage in his left knee."

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player suffered a back injury during game one of the Bucks's first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat and did not return until game four. The Bucks, the number one seed in the East, were upset in five by Miami in the best-of-seven series.

The World Cup will be held in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.

Greece has been drawn in group C with the United States, New Zealand and Jordan.

Losing Antetokounmpo would be a huge blow to Greece's hopes in the tournament.

He was top scorer in last year's EuroBasket tournament, averaging 29.3 points although his team went out in the round-of-16 to the Czech Republic.

Antetokounmpo was part of the Greece team at the 2019 World Cup which failed to get out of the group stage.

The 28-year-old's older brother and Bucks' team-mate Thanasis, is also part of the Greece squad along with his younger brother Kostas, who plays for Greek club Panathinaikos.

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Bucks push win streak to 13 despite Giannis injury

LOS ANGELES -- The Milwaukee Bucks shook off the first-quarter exit of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Miami Heat 128-99 on Friday and push their NBA winning streak to 13 games.

Antetokounmpo, who started despite concern over a wrist injury he suffered in the Bucks' final game before the All-Star break, departed late in the first quarter with a right knee injury.

The Bucks, who out-scored the Heat 42-32 in the first to seize control, didn't miss a beat as Jrue Holiday scored 24 points to lead six Milwaukee players in double figures.

Bobby Portis, back after an 11-game injury absence, added 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Bucks, who are just half a game behind the Boston Celtics for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

"I thought it was really excellent, the whole group had a good focus coming out of the break, both ends of the court, pushing themselves to be their best," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

Budenholzer, who had to call a timeout when Antetokounmpo indicated he was hurt to get his star out of the game, said he didn't see when the injury occurred.

"I haven't gotten the full breakdown, but I'm pretty sure that either on a drive or a screen or something like that, that he knocked knees with somebody and just wasn't able to return," Budenholzer said, adding that he had no immediate information on the severity of the injury.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 23 points. Bam Adebayo added 18 and Tyler Herro had 14. But Miami connected on just nine of their 40 three-point attempts

The Bucks made 19 three-pointers on the way to their biggest margin of victory this season.

There was another lopsided result in Atlanta, where the Hawks shook off any uncertainty lingering after coach Nate McMillan was fired on Tuesday with a 136-119 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

And the Chicago Bulls embarrassed the Brooklyn Nets 131-87.

Trae Young scored 34 points for the Hawks, who were guided by interim coach Joe Prunty, who had been McMillan's top assistant.

Cleveland, coming off a loss to Denver on Thursday, grabbed a quick lead, but the Hawks had gained control by the end of the first quarter and surged away -- out-scoring the Cavs 49-34 in the second period.

They led by as many as 32 points and were up by 23 with two minutes to play.

- Randle leads Knicks -

Darius Garland led Cleveland with 33 points. Donovan Mitchell added 19 for the Cavs, who dropped a third straight game.

In Chicago, Zach LaVine scored 32 points to pace the Bulls -- who never trailed and led by as many as 50 against a Nets team that scored just 29 points in the first half.

New York Knicks All-Star forward Julius Randle matched his career high with 46 points in a 115-109 victory over the Wizards in Washington.

Randle drained seven three-pointers and helped the Knicks erase an early 19-point deficit on the way to a fourth straight victory.

Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 points apiece for the Wizards.

Washington's Bradley Beal made a three-pointer with one minute remaining to tie it at 109-109.

Jalen Brunson responded by driving through traffic for a go-ahead layup and the Knicks pulled away from there to remain ahead of the Miami Heat for sixth in the East -- the last direct entry spot into the playoffs.

The Wizards, meanwhile, remained in 10th -- the last spot good for a play-in berth.

Agence France-Presse

Giannis completes NBA dream journey from poverty to champion

MILWAUKEE -- As the last seconds ticked away before Milwaukee won the NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo thought not about his amazing performance but instead pondered his incredible journey from poverty to champion.

"When I came to the league, I didn't know where my next meal will come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street," Antetokounmpo recalled.

"Now I'm here sitting at the top of the top. I'm extremely blessed. I hope this can give everybody around the world, from Africa, from Europe, hope it can be done. I want them to believe in their dreams."

The 26-year-old Greek forward of Nigerian heritage scored 50 points, matching the greatest total in a close-out game in NBA history, to spark the Milwaukee Bucks over Phoenix 105-98 on Tuesday for their first crown in half a century.

He also managed 14 rebounds, five blocked shots, dominating defensive moves and even a 17-for-19 free throw showing in an iconic all-around masterpiece effort for the ages.

"It has been a long journey. I've done it all. I did anything that I could just to be in this position," Antetokounmpo said.

"I've done it all. Tonight, that's what I had to do. I had to do a little bit of everything. I had to defend, I had to rebound, I had to block."

With 65,000 people cheering in the streets outside the arena and 20,000 more screaming inside, Antetokounmpo won NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors.

"I never thought I'm going to be 26 years old, with my team playing the NBA Finals. I never thought I would be sitting here. We've come a long way," he said.

"I started playing basketball just to help my family. Tried to get them out of the struggle, the challenges we were facing when we were kids."

Antetokounmpo wants to inspire youth who grew up in tough times as he did.

"This should make every person, every kid, anybody around the world believe in their dreams -- no matter whatever you feel when you're down, when you don't think it's going to happen for you or you might not make it in your career -- just believe in what you're doing and keep working," he said.

"Don't let nobody tell you what you can be and what you cannot do. People told me I cannot make free throws. I made my free throws tonight and I'm a freaking champion."

He's the only player in NBA history with five NBA All-Star and All-NBA selections, a finals and two season MVP awards and the top defender awards before turning 27.

Only four prior players born outside the United States had won the finals MVP award -- Hakeem Olajuwon, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.

Antetokounmpo credited former coach Jason Kidd with developing parts of his game other than scoring and current Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer with teaching him to trust his teammates in order to built a championship squad.

- 'It's freaking unreal' -

He's already thinking about a title repeat in 2022.

"This is an addictive feeling. These are the moments I want to chase. I want the team to build off this and hopefully we can do it again," said Antetokounmpo.

"This is going to be a quick turnaround. We're going to be back and a lot of people are going to come after us and we have to be ready for that."

He recalled how the late Kobe Bryant challenged him to be the MVP in 2017 and he did two years later, only for Bryant to say he should win the title, which he did two years later.

"He made me believe," Antetokounmpo said. "Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this and I can play at a high level and build my team and win my MVP? I had to do it. I had to work hard.

"To be able to accomplish those things, it's crazy. It's unreal. It's freaking unreal. I can't believe it."

Agence France-Presse

Giannis joins Jordan, Shaq, LeBron in NBA Finals history

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo joined an elite list of stars with back-to-back 40-point NBA Finals performances, but the Greek star forward stressed Sunday that "I'm no Michael Jordan."

Antetokounmpo became only the sixth player in NBA Finals history with 40 points in consecutive games, hitting 41 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 120-100 Bucks victory over Phoenix.

Milwaukee pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series while the 26-year-old Greek forward, who had 42 points in a game-two loss, put himself on a select NBA list.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player joined Jordan, Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal, Rick Barry and LeBron James with consecutive 40-point NBA Finals performances.

When asked if he would threaten Jordan's four 40-point games in a row, Antetokounmpo stressed he wasn't Jordan and added, "All I care about right now, it's getting one more (win), that's all, just take care of business, doing our job."

Bucks forward Khris Middleton was not amazed to see Antetokounmpo dominate two weeks after suffering a hyperextended left knee and missing two games.

"He has been doing this since I've been here," Middleton said. "Now it's on the biggest stage and everybody is getting a chance to see what he goes through, how he's hurt and he still finds a way to go out there and compete and be productive and be dominant at the same time.

"When he's rolling like he was these past two games, we know we have to just give him the ball and see what he can do."

Bucks reserve Bobby Portis, who excelled when Antetokounmpo went down, said his success is a reward from the "Basketball God" for his work ethic.

"Giannis is a relentless hard worker and gives his all to the team, and he's selfless," Portis said.

"When you play like that and you want to win, I think the Basketball God just always rewards you. He never cheats the game. He stays in the gym, he lifts weights hard every day. 

"When you're humble and hungry like that, it just always just comes back to you. And for a guy to hyperextend his knee less than two weeks ago, and to come back and do the things he's doing, man, I think it just speaks for itself.

"Whoever gave him the nickname 'Greek Freak' did a great job. It's different how he's playing out there and doing all these different things. That's just rare. That's really special of him."

Antetokounmpo recalled how he was fearful his season might be over after his injury earlier this month.

"My knee was double the size, so a little bit worried but when I got the MRI, they told me I have a chance to come back, even though I'm not 100 per cent. I was extremely happy," he recalled.

"I'm going to compete as hard as possible and do the right thing to help my team have the opportunity to win any game we play."

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team plays better when Antetokounmpo plays better, no matter what the statistics are.

"We're at our best when Giannis is at his best," Budenholzer said. "He's a great playmaker, screener, passer and he does so many great things. When he's conscious of doing a little bit of everything, he's very capable and that's when he's at his best."

Agence France-Presse

NBA: Bucks await word on Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee Tuesday during the third quarter of the Eastern Conference finals Game 4 against the host Atlanta Hawks, and his status for Thursday's Game 5 in Milwaukee is unclear.

"We'll see how he is tomorrow," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said after his team lost 110-88 to tie the best-of-seven series at two games each.

"We'll take everything as it comes," Budenholzer added. "We'll evaluate it. We've got a heck of a team, a heck of a roster."

Antetokounmpo was helped off the floor by his brother Thanasis after getting hurt with 7:14 left in the third period, and he did not return.

Antetokounmpo got injured when he leaped to defend an alley-oop pass to Hawks big man Clint Capela. Antetokounmpo had his knee bend backward as he landed. He fell to the court in intense pain, grabbing the knee, and Capela fell on top of him after scoring the basket.

The two-time NBA MVP had 14 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes upon leaving to be examined. He returned to the floor less than three minutes later, but then again headed back to the locker room.

-reuters

Antetokounmpo, Bucks return with 119-112 win over Celtics

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared on his way out of the game. Moments later, he was instead on his way to the foul line.

A replay overturned what would have been the NBA’s MVP sixth foul with 1:28 left and he made the most of his second chance, helping the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 119-112 on Friday night.

Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks’ first game in the restart. Milwaukee improved the NBA’s best record to 54-12 and moved within a victory of clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year.

It appeared the Bucks would have to do it without the Greek Freak when Marcus Smart slid in front of a driving Antetokounmpo as he scored in the lane. A charge was called but eventually overturned, with Smart saying the official explanation from referees was that he was too late.

“Quite frankly, I think we know all what that was all about. Giannis’ sixth foul and they didn’t want to get him out,” Smart said. “Let’s just call that spade a spade and that’s just what it is.”

The Bucks disagreed.

“I felt like he was moving on the last play but either way if it was a charge, if it was not a charge, I’m happy that we got the win and I’ll learn from the play,” Antetokounmpo said.

Antetokounmpo made the free throw to make it 110-107. Khris Middleton then knocked down a 3-pointer for a six-point advantage.

Middleton added 18 points for the Bucks, who played without Eric Bledsoe and Pat Connaughton while they work on their conditioning after testing positive for the coronavirus. Marvin Williams sat out with a strained left groin.

Smart scored 23 points for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown had 22, but star forward Jayson Tatum had a nightmarish restart. He had five points on 2-for-18 shooting — though he actually only made one basket.

Kemba Walker scored 16 points but played just 19 minutes as the Celtics look to keep the All-Star guard healthy after he’s been battling a sore knee.

Milwaukee had lost its final three games before the season was suspended in March but came back looking like the team that otherwise overpowered opponents all season. The Bucks broke to a 17-2 lead and should have been pitching a shutout. The lone Boston basket came when Antetokounmpo and Wesley Matthews tipped in Walker’s missed 3-pointer. Tatum was given credit for the basket as the closest Celtics player.

“I thought we had a great mindset coming out in the first five minutes,” Bucks center Brook Lopez said.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Gordon Hayward scored 17 points and Daniel Theis had 13 points and 12 rebounds. ... Boston fell to 3-8, counting playoffs, against the Bucks the last two seasons. Milwaukee eliminated the Celtics in five games in last year’s East semifinals.

Bucks: Lopez had six blocked shots. ... Coach Mike Budenholzer said he believed Williams’ injury wasn’t serious and hoped the forward could be available soon. He thinks Williams was hurt during the second scrimmage and felt sore the next morning.

AWARD WINNERS

The game featured all the the monthly award winners in the Eastern Conference this season. Antetokounmpo won for October/November, December and January before Tatum earned the first of his career in February.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Play Portland on Sunday.

Bucks: Play Houston on Sunday.

AP

Refugee educator fired for ‘monkey’ racist insult at Antetokounmpo

A Greek official responsible for educating refugees was fired on Friday for making racist comments about Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose parents emigrated from Nigeria to the country.

Konstantinos Kalemis, the coordinator for refugee education in the Malakassa camp north of Athens, called Antetokounmpo a “monkey” on Twitter after the NBA Most Valuable Player denounced racism in Greek society.


Kalemis later deleted the post but the original comment was unacceptable to Education Minister Niki Kerameus.

“We unequivocally condemn the racist and highly offensive messages of this educator. Such behavior has no place in our education system,” Kerameus tweeted.

In the documentary, on Bleacher Report, Antetokounmpo said: “Greece is a country of whites, where the life of a man of my skin color can be difficult. You can find yourself in different neighborhoods and face a lot of racism.”

Since 2015, Greece has allowed the children of immigrants to apply for Greek citizenship but a recent report found the process was cumbersome and slow.


“While (citizenship) should normally take between six months and a year, the wait for the final decision can be up to four years,” said the NGO report.

Agence France-Presse 

Another solid night for Giannis Antetokounmpo as Bucks trip Jazz

MILWAUKEE  — After not playing at all in the Milwaukee Bucks’ previous game, Thon Maker got a chance to shine in a hard-fought win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

Maker had a season-high 15 points off the bench for the Bucks, who clamped down on defense in the second half to secure a 114-102 victory.

“We won the game because of him,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks with 30 points. “He brought energy, played hard, he made shots. It was just amazing seeing Thon compete hard out there.”

Maker had seen regular minutes off the bench recently with Ersan Ilyasova out with a broken nose. His playing time diminished after Ilyasova’s return and the emergence of second-year player D.J. Wilson.

“That’s when your professionalism comes in,” Maker said. “You’ve just got to stay ready whenever your name is called.”


Maker shot 6 of 8 from the field, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Maker’s performance “flipped the script.”

“He made a lot of different things happen on the court,” Budenholzer said. “I really feel like he was a difference-maker tonight.”

Budenholzer specifically pointed to Maker’s three-point play early in the fourth quarter after Utah had made a 3 on the other end.

“He was a spark plug for us,” Brook Lopez said. “He had such great energy and emotion. He got us going, he got the crowd going and everyone on the bench was going. We really fed off him tonight.”

Malcolm Brogdon added 21 points for the Bucks, who were coming off a 123-116 loss to Toronto on Saturday night. Milwaukee improved to 28-11, the second-best record in the NBA.

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and Rudy Gobert had 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost starting point guard Ricky Rubio to a right hamstring injury less than five minutes into the game. He didn’t return.

“We can’t sulk,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got to go out there and compete.”

The Jazz held a three-point advantage heading to the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee grabbed control late after Brogdon’s 3-pointer pushed its lead to 105-99. The Bucks built the margin to eight with about three minutes left on two free throws by Lopez, who nailed a deep 3 about a minute later to give Milwaukee an 11-point cushion and seal the victory.

Antetokounmpo, who grabbed 10 rebounds, fouled out with 42.9 seconds remaining.

After a tightly contested first half, the Jazz opened an 11-point lead early in the third quarter before the Bucks stormed back, taking a lead late in the period when Brogdon hit back-to-back shots. Utah rebounded and led 86-83 heading into the fourth.


The Jazz were up 62-58 at halftime, with Mitchell providing 15 points and Jae Crowder adding 11 off the bench. The first half featured 19 lead changes and eight ties.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

After allowing 62 points in the first half, the Bucks held the Jazz to 40 in the second half.

“We weren’t very happy at halftime with our defense,” Budenholzer said. “The way we improved and got better in the second half gave us a chance to find a way offensively in the fourth quarter.”

Utah scored just 16 points in the fourth quarter.

“We had some open looks,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “We just weren’t able to get them to go.”

STAT LINE

The Bucks scored 68 points in the paint to 36 for the Jazz. Milwaukee also had a 19-2 edge in fast-break points.

BOUNCING BACK

Milwaukee hasn’t lost back-to-back games this season, improving to 11-0 after a loss.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Rubio scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting before exiting. … Gobert had 12 rebounds in the first half, matching his average for a full game this season.

Bucks: Wilson didn’t play due to a left hip pointer. Budenholzer said he is hopeful Wilson will be able to return Wednesday at Houston. … G Donte DiVincenzo sat out with right ankle soreness. “It’s a little bit of a recurring theme,” Budenholzer said. “There wasn’t an incident or twisted ankle or anything like that.” … Milwaukee recalled F Christian Wood from its G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

UP NEXT

Jazz: Host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Utah has won 12 of the last 16 meetings.

Bucks: At the Houston Rockets on Wednesday as the teams meet for the first time this season.

source: sports.inquirer.net