Fans grimace as Bucks coach explains the extent of Giannis’ injury

As Giannis blows out the candles, Bucks fans are sweating over the fitness of their player, but perhaps not all for the same reasons.

It turns out that the injury suffered by Giannis, a strained right calf that came during Wednesday’s win over the Detroit Pistons, has turned out to be more serious than first thought, with Bucks coach Doc Rivers now expecting the star forward to sit out for around four weeks.

Initial reports had suggested a 2-4 week recovery window, but Rivers, after consulting with medical staff and reviewing MRI results, indicated the injury warrants caution.

“When Giannis gets injured, he’ll give you his own date”

“I feel like we should learn is with calves -- make sure they’re healthy,” Rivers said ahead of the game against the Sixers. “So that may take longer than we want. That even may make Giannis frustrated over it, but we just got to try to get that right. That may take longer than we want … we just got to try to get that right.”

He did, however, note that the forward was in a positive mindset regarding the setback: “We talked a long time [Thursday],” Rivers said. “When Giannis gets injured, he’ll give you his own date. You literally just, you hear it, but you don’t hear it because to him it’s always, I’ll be back in a week, or I’ll be back sooner.”

The physical issue to the NBA star comes at a crucial time in his career as a whole. Rumours had swirled like adrenaline-fuelled witches about Giannis’ future, with reports suggesting that he and his agent have held conversations analysing the direction the Bucks are taking and whether they align with his own desires.

On the court, he was just as talked-about, posting stellar numbers: averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists on 64% shooting in 17 games this season.

“I think we’re better equipped [to deal with the injury], but it’s going to be tough,” Rivers said. “You don’t replace those points, those rebounds and more importantly his downhill attacks that create 3s. We’re the No. 1 3-point shooting team in the league and Giannis has a lot to do with getting us those shots. Now we’re going to have to try to manufacture those shots without him. That’s going to be more difficult.”

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