If the Milwaukee Bucks were clinging to anything as their playoff hopes whittled away, it was that they often had the best player on the floor most nights. When Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the floor, this team always has a chance. However, with injuries piling up left and right, that advantage is becoming an afterthought.
Giannis' injuries are taking away the Bucks' only real advantage
Giannis is one of the top players in the world. Even when he's banged up, he can still dominate, as he showed by dropping 31 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists in just 23 minutes against the Indiana Pacers. For most of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have been living and dying by Giannis because they know he can be the best player on either side, but injuries have taken that away.
Injuries have been a constant roadblock for Giannis this season. First, it was the adductor. Then it was a calf strain. He dealt with an ankle issue in there. Now, to end his dominant performance on Sunday, he seemingly hyperextended his knee after an ugly fall, though he claims he's fine. All in all, he's been in just 36 games this season.
Without Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks don't have another top player. Outside of a fool's gold stretch in March, which is what Bobby Portis categorized it as, they've been among the worst teams in the entire league. They don't have any advantages over other teams, especially the top contenders. The whole mindset has been "just tread water until Giannis is healthy." That might not be coming, though.
Giannis could use some much-needed rest down the stretch
Giannis doesn't want to sit. He knows that even if it's slim, the Milwaukee Bucks still have a chance to make the Play-In and push for the postseason. He was seemingly trying to re-enter Milwaukee's win against Indiana after hurting his knee. Thankfully, he didn't. With all of the injuries piling up, it might be divine intervention trying to tell Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks something.
No one wants to wave the white flag, but Giannis clearly isn't the Wolverine-esque healer that he has been in years past. There is wear and tear on the body, more so the latter this season. The last thing the Milwaukee Bucks need is Giannis getting further injured and possibly complicating their plans for next season as well, due to something that could have been avoided.
The Bucks are 5.5 games back of the final Play-In spot and have shown little promise that they can make any noise. They aren't officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they've given very few reasons to believe they can dig themselves out of this hole. It would start with Giannis, but his health concerns may slam the door shut on Milwaukee's slim contending hopes.