Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined due to health and safety protocols

The Milwaukee Bucks have been forced to deal with a number of injuries and illnesses early on in the 2021-22 season, and they can now add another to the list.

As reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Giannis Antetokounmpo has entered the league’s health and safety protocols. Charania notes that Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for the Bucks’ game with the Indiana Pacers tomorrow night, but no further information was given in his initial reporting. Obviously, we hope that Antetokounmpo is doing well, first and foremost. He now joins Wesley Matthews as Bucks players that are currently in the health and safety protocols.

The protocols can be difficult to follow, but ESPN’s Tim Bontemps detailed the formula that would allow Antetokounmpo to return to the court in the near future.

"“To clear, a player must either be out for a minimum of 10 days, or return two negative PCR tests at least 24 hours apart. Tuesday’s news now leaves Antetokounmpo’s status for Milwaukee’s rematch with Boston on Christmas Day in doubt.”"

More details will surely follow in the coming hours and days, but for now, the one certainty is that Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for at least one matchup for the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the latest player that the Milwaukee Bucks will be forced to play without following Tuesday’s news

The Bucks have been banged up all throughout the season. Right now, including Antetokounmpo and Matthews, the Bucks have five players listed as out for tomorrow’s matchup, per Bontemps. They are Brook Lopez, who is sidelined following a back procedure, DeMarcus Cousins, who will be out due to personal reasons, and Semi Ojeleye, who is still dealing with a calf issue.

That list could potentially grow as Khris Middleton is listed as questionable with a hyperextended knee, which he suffered in the team’s last game against the Boston Celtics. Only time will tell if he is going to get the go-ahead to play. Fortunately, the Bucks will be getting some reinforcements in the form of Donte DiVincenzo, who is slated to make his season debut against Indiana after being cleared to return from him his ankle surgery. He will be an added boost, although not enough to make up for the reigning NBA Finals MVP’s absence.

Losing Antetokounmpo is obviously a considerable blow for the Bucks. The two-time MVP is the engine that makes this team go. It certainly does not help that Middleton’s availability is uncertain following his hyperextended knee as the Bucks are already missing a slew of key pieces. They find themselves in a significant hole right now, and they now must brace for the challenge of staying afloat for the time being. Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, and the returning DiVincenzo will now all be given a far more prominent workload in the coming days.

Whatever the case, we all just hope that Antetokounmpo and Matthews are all right after being placed in these protocols. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the pair as we all await news.