The want to shut down for the remainder of the season after his latest injury and their postseason chances dwindled, but the two-time NBA MVP has refused the team’s requests and wants to play again, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Bucks announced Tuesday that Antetokounmpo would be sidelined with a left knee injury, the latest health setback in an injury-plagued season for the 10-time All-Star.
The Bucks did not provide a timeline for Antetokounmpo’s return, but sources told Charania that he would miss at least a week because of a hyperextension and a bone bruise in the knee.
Antetokounmpo, 31, landed awkwardly after a dunk during the third quarter of Sunday’s home game against the . Although he felt like he could play through the injury, the Bucks sat him for the rest of the contest.
Milwaukee (28-40) is in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the by 6½ games for 10th place and the final spot in the play-in tournament.
Antetokounmpo has missed 32 games this season, the most of his career. He has seen extended absences because of strains in his right calf. The Bucks are 11-21 without Antetokounmpo in the lineup this season and 17-19 when he plays.
The Athletic first reported Wednesday that the Bucks approached Antetokounmpo about getting shut down for the rest of the season.
