NBA: Milwaukee Bucks to seek eastern conference lead without Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks will be left without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as the team goes ahead to lock horns with Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.

The NBA playoff clash will be the fifth out of the seven possible games between teams, which are fighting it out for the crown of the Eastern Conference.

Antetokounmpo was put on the doubtful list a day before the announcement after sustaining an injury in the previous game against the Hawks on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old suffered a hyperextended left knee, rendering him unable to play further.

However, the Bucks confirmed on Thursday the 26-year-old Greek player would now miss the game, where the Bucks will be aiming to regain the initiative in the best-of-seven series, which is level at 2-2.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo underwent an MRI and physical examination on Wednesday.

Reports have said the scan found no evidence of structural damage in Antetokounmpo’s knee, which twisted as he landed awkwardly during a defensive play on Tuesday, reported AFP.

The winner of the Eastern Conference finals series will face the Phoenix Suns in the NBA finals which start next week.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points, an NBA playoffs-best 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 37.4 minutes per game in the post-season, reported AFP.

Antetokounmpo was injured in the third quarter of the game with around seven minutes left on the clock. The forward jumped high in a defensive position and landed awkwardly, thus sustaining an injury in his knee.

According to AFP, replays showed Antetokounmpo‘s left knee appearing to buckle as he landed. He required treatment before he was taken to the locker room.

As per reports from AFP, the player’s left knee buckled as he landed on the court and had to be given immediate treatment before he was taken to the locker room. The 26-year-old was seen courtside after the injury but later went back into the team’s locker room.