Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo back for Game 4 vs. Heat. The latest injury update
The first-round playoff series between the eighth-seeded Miami Heat and top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks changed when Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a lower back contusion in Game 1. The series is about to change again with Antetokounmpo set to make his return in Game 4.
After playing just 11 minutes in the first three games of the series and missing Games 2 and 3 because of his back injury, Antetokounmpo will make his return in Game 4 on Monday night at Kaseya Center. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said there won’t be a minutes restriction on Antetokounmpo.
“It’s different for sure,” Heat forward Max Strus said after Monday’s morning shootaround session when asked how Antetokounmpo’s return would change the matchup. “But we’ve been preparing for that since Game 1. We’ve been waiting for him to play and we’ll be ready.”
The Heat holds a 2-1 lead in the series, becoming the first No. 8 seed to have a lead in a series through at least three games since the eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls held a 2-1 lead over the top-seeded Boston Celtics in 2017. The Celtics rallied to win that first-round series 4-2.
“Obviously, he’s an MVP candidate, MVP caliber player,” Heat guard Gabe Vincent said Monday morning of Antetokounmpo. “So it’s naturally going to change things. It’s going to change their look a little bit. But I think we still need to come in with our game plan and our aggression and put together a great game of basketball.”
The Heat’s two best players were also on the injury report for Game 4, but they will be available to play.
Heat star Jimmy Butler was listed as questionable for Monday’s contest after sustaining a bruised glute in the third quarter of Saturday’s Game 3 win. He will play on Monday.
Butler’s co-star center Bam Adebayo was listed as probable for Game 4 with a strained left hamstring. He will also play on Monday.
Heat rookie forward Nikola Jovic, who was initially ruled out because of back spasms that have kept him from appearing in an NBA game since Dec. 28, was upgraded to questionable Monday afternoon. He will be available for Game 4.
The Heat will be without guard Victor Oladipo after an MRI on Sunday revealed that he sustained a season-ending torn patellar tendon in his left knee in Saturday’s Game 3 win.
The Heat also remains without Tyler Herro (fractured right hand) for Game 4.
The Bucks will be without reserve guard Wesley Matthews on Monday because of a strained right calf. Matthews also missed Games 2 and 3.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 11:21 AM.
