3 keys as the Milwaukee Bucks return home against the Chicago Bulls

How will Giannis Antetokounmpo look in his return for the Milwaukee Bucks?

Yeah, he only missed one game but after the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo let slip today, it’s worth keeping an eye on for how his knee looks.

Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required) published a story about a conversation he had recently with Antetokounmpo, wherein the two-time MVP reveals a lot about his mentality this season, but also more information about his hyperextended knee in the playoffs as well.

Antetokounmpo revealed that if he hyperextended his knee again during the Finals, he would have likely suffered a torn MCL or ACL. He said that there was a part of his knee that tore which protected the two ligaments from tearing. That’s not ideal!

He also told Amick that the Milwaukee Bucks medical staff created a brace specifically for him, but refused to wear it simply because he’s too tough for that. So with Antetokounmpo sitting out last game with knee soreness, it’s worth monitoring how he looks given the news we’ve received.

Now, we shouldn’t be too concerned, considering how well he’s played all season and how good he’s looked. He has sat out games with knee soreness in previous seasons, but it’s never bad to be too cautious.

Antetokounmpo has dominated the Bulls in both games this season to the tune of 32 points per game on 54.6 percent true shooting as well as 14 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game. The Bulls got Patrick Williams back last night, but he likely won’t play on the second night of a back-to-back.

Antetokounmpo shouldn’t be on any type of minutes restriction, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him rested a couple of more times down the stretch. Antetokounmpo should have another dominant performance tonight.