By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 14:19 EST, 27 December 2025 | Updated: 14:19 EST, 27 December 2025
CHICAGO (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo may be on the verge of returning from the right calf strain that has kept the two-time MVP from playing in the Milwaukee Bucks´ last eight games.
The Bucks issued an injury report that listed Antetokounmpo as questionable for Saturday's game at Chicago rather than ruling him out entirely.
Antetokounmpo hasn´t played since injuring his calf less than three minutes into the Bucks´ 113-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 3. The injury came on Antetokounmpo´s fourth game back after a left adductor strain caused him to miss four games.
"Maybe it was a mistake of me coming back a little bit earlier, because once I come back, now you´re overcompensating," Antetokounmpo said on Dec. 18. "The only way you can pop your soleus is by overcompensating and then having an extreme amount of load or play a lot of games in a short period of time. Again, I think all of the things that I was thinking and trying to come back led to the incident that I had with my soleus."
The Bucks have gone 2-6 in the eight games Antetokounmpo has missed because of the calf issue. So far this season, the Bucks are 9-8 with Antetokounmpo and 3-11 without him.
Antetokounmpo, who turned 31 on Dec. 6, has averaged 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season.
FILE - Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts after suffering an injury during the first half an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kylie Bridenhagen, File)
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