Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to make his much-awaited return from a long absence due to a calf injury this Tuesday night, when the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player last saw action on Jan. 23, and with the Bucks needing a boost to their playoff hopes, this looming return by Antetokounmpo is certainly a welcome development for the team.
ESPN reporter thinks the Bucks should just tank amid Antetokounmpo update
However, ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon doesn’t think that getting Antetokounmpo back on the court amid what is turning out to be a lost season for Milwaukee goes against the team’s overall interest from a long-term perspective.
Here’s what MacMahon said:
“It’s the most valuable asset that the Bucks would have to improve the team in the offseason. It would be a lottery pick and I hate to be hypocritical because we are, have been very critical of the tanking epidemic, right? There’s a tanking epidemic because that’s the smartest strategy.
This is not in the Bucks best long-term interest. We’re not going to pretend that the Bucks have a chance in hell of doing anything in the Eastern Conference playoffs this year. They can pretend that in Milwaukee. No, stop it. Stop it. No. The Bucks do not have any chance of doing anything. They’re not going to win. They’re not going to win a single playoff game. I will say that right now.”
Milwaukee is currently on the outside looking in of the play-in tournament picture in the Eastern Conference with a 26-33 record entering the Celtics game. That is good for 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three games behind the No. 10 Charlotte Hornets.
Feb 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee forward Antetokounmpo (34) during warmups prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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