Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night due to a hyperextended left knee.
The series is tied at 2-2, with the winner of the best-of-seven series moving on to face the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
The Bucks remained 2-point favorites at most sportsbooks even after the news of his Game 5 status.
Antetokounmpo sustained the injury during the third quarter of the Bucks’ 110-88 loss in Game 4 on Tuesday.
The two-time league MVP was contesting an alley-oop attempt by Hawks center Clint Capela when he landed awkwardly and bent his knee. An MRI revealed no structural damage.
Antetokounmpo, 26, is averaging 26.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals in this series. He has shot 60.8 percent from the field.
The Bucks were 6-5 without Antetokounmpo in the lineup during the regular season, and 40-21 with him.
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–Field Level Media