Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo exited Game 4 against the Miami Heat with a leg injury, putting the remainder of the Bucks’ season and his future with the team in jeopardy.
Antetokounmpo came into Game 4 with a sprained right ankle, which he suffered during Friday’s loss. With his team on the brink of elimination, the likely two-time NBA MVP attempted to play through the pain on Sunday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo exits Game 4 with leg injury
Early in the second quarter of Game 4, Giannis drove to the hoop with the hopes of sinking the game-tying bucket. While he drew the foul to send him to the free-throw line, Milwaukee’s star planted his foot awkwardly and immediately went down in pain.
Antetokounmpo grabbed his right leg, with a trainer rushing to his side as he laid on the court in agonizing pain.
All of his teammates surrounded him as the medical staff checked on the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Eventually, his brother Thanasis and teammate George Hill helped Antetokounmpo off the court.
While the team wanted to check on him, NBA rules required Giannis to either shoot his free throws or be replaced and ruled out for the remainder of the game. So, the four-time All-Star forward limped to the line and made one of his attempts.
Immediately after missing the second free throw, Milwaukee fouled the Heat. The move allowed Antetokounmpo time to get off the court and he immediately went into the locker room. Unfortunately, the team announced he aggravated the ankle sprain and will miss the remainder of Game 4.
Already trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, losing Antetokounmpo for the rest of the night could end Milwaukee’s season. Amid the increasing uncertainty and lingering questions regarding his future in Milwaukee, we can only hope we haven’t seen Giannis play for the Bucks for the last time.