Doc Rivers provided the Milwaukee Bucks with welcome relief after a tense 24 hours. Just three minutes in their 113-109 comeback victory over the Detroit Pistons, Giannis Antetokounmpo went down, grabbing his right leg while trying to sprint back on defense.
The Bucks later diagnosed it as a right calf strain, and Antetokounmpo did not return after recording two points, one rebound, and one assist in his brief appearance. After the game, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters that he believes the team has avoided the worst-case scenario.
“Doc Rivers tells reporters that he thinks the Bucks have ruled out an Achilles injury for Giannis Antetokounmpo,” said the Bucks head coach via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
Despite ongoing trade rumors surrounding their franchise player and the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks mounted a comeback. Kevin Porter Jr. led the way with 26 points and seven assists, Ryan Rollins contributed 22 points and eight assists, and AJ Green sank five three-pointers on his way to 19 points as Milwaukee erased an 18-point deficit in front of a tense Fiserv Forum crowd. Jericho Sims added a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double, while Bobby Portis scored 13 points in the second half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks this year
Dec 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) goes down with an injury against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
This is not the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo has faced an injury scare this season. He had already missed games due to a left groin strain and had only recently come back, trying to steady a Bucks team that is slowly sputtering out.
Everything was unfolding with chaos in the background. Earlier Wednesday, ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are weighing his long-term future with the Bucks. Rivers strongly rejected any notion that Giannis wants to leave, stressing before the game that there have been “no conversations” about a trade and that his star remains committed to Milwaukee.
Dec 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) grimaces as he limps off the court after going down with an injury in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
For now, the right calf strain and persistent trade rumors surrounding Antetokounmpo dominate the conversation. Milwaukee managed to secure a win and avoid a potential disaster, but the bigger question remains: how long will they have to play without Giannis on the court?