Giannis injury scare as Bucks zap Celtics
Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a worrying calf injury as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Boston Celtics 104-91 in their heavyweight NBA Eastern Conference showdown.
Former NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo crumpled to the court in a non-contact incident in the third quarter after in-bounding to teammate Damian Lillard.
Antetokounmpo, who missed games last month with an Achilles injury, hobbled off the court in clear discomfort and did not return to the game at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks later said Antetokounmpo had suffered a left soleus strain and would get an MRI scan to assess the injury.
Any significant injury to Antetokounmpo would be a brutal blow to the Bucks’ hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs.
The Greek star had scored 15 points with eight rebounds and seven assists before leaving the game.
The injury overshadowed what was an encouraging victory for the Bucks over the runaway Eastern Conference leaders, who are already assured of top seeding throughout the postseason.
In other game, the Philadelphia 76ers’ resurgence since Joel Embiid’s return from injury continued as they bagged a sixth straight win in a 120-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Embiid finished with 37 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to leave the Sixers on 45-35, just behind the sixth placed Indiana Pacers (46-34). Both teams have just two regular season fixtures remaining.
In Charlotte, Luka Doncic scored a 39-point triple double as the Dallas Mavericks’ hot streak continued with a 130-104 road win over the Hornets.
Daniel Gafford had 26 points while Kyrie Irving added 18 as the Mavericks improved to 49-30 to remain in fifth place in the Western Conference.