Giannis Antetokounmpo Feared Long Term Knee Injury

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo feared he would miss not just the NBA Finals, but next season too.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a hyperextended left knee when he fell against the Atlanta Hawks in the previous round. 

“I thought I would be out for a year,” Antetokounmpo said.

Instead, he was able to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals and score 20 points. As well as that, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 17 rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks.

He also went 6-for-11 from the field and 7-for-12 from the free throw line. However, it wasn’t enough to stop the Phoenix Suns winning 118-105.

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“It was tough,” Anteotkounmpo said.

“Obviously I had to do my best to get back. Listen to my medical staff. I did the right treatment. Took care of my body and supported my teammates, and now I’m back.”

“I couldn’t walk, and my knee was like double the size,” Antetokounmpo said. 

“Usually I never swell up. But you know, I woke up the next day, did whatever it’s called, MRI or X-ray — I don’t know what it’s called — and they said I’m good. And I was like, ‘Thank God.’

“But at the end of the day, it’s like all the medical staff and the strength and conditioning team, they have done a great job throughout the year to keep me healthy, and all the work we’ve put in, that’s why it wasn’t as bad, you know, because of all the work I’ve put in throughout the years, I’m happy.

“I’m not trying to make it about me, and hopefully in Game 2, I’ll feel better.”

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Despite Giannis being listed as questionable, the Suns prepared to face him on Tuesday night.

“We planned for him to play,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. 

“Just felt like a guy like Giannis, who all the stories report about how hard he works on his body, we just figured a guy that works that hard is going to find a way to get back on the floor, especially in the Finals

“This is the time of the year where you sacrifice everything, and that’s what we expected.”