Antetokounmpo starts in Game 1 for Bucks
PHOENIX — Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals after being sidelined with a knee injury.
Antetokounmpo worked out on the court before the game Tuesday night and showed Bucks officials that he was healthy enough to play against the Phoenix Suns after missing two games with a hyperextended left knee.
Coach Mike Budenholzer said he was sure the two-time MVP would be able to make an important contribution, even if he couldn’t score as much as usual.
“The way he scores, and his skills are very unique, and so yeah, a lot of confidence that he’s going to be able to impact winning in a really positive way whenever it is that he plays,” Budenholzer said.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the postseason.
The Bucks had listed Antetokounpmo as doubtful on Monday, but upgraded him to questionable earlier Tuesday. He was on the court doing dribbling and shooting work to test out the injury a
couple of hours before the game.
Antetokounmpo was injured in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals when he landed after leaping to defend a lob pass to Atlanta’s Clint Capela. He missed the final two games of that series.
Budenholzer said Monday that Antetokounmpo was doing work on the court and making progress, but provided no other details.
For Crowder, Game 1 is a birthday gift like none other
PHOENIX — Jae Crowder got a birthday present like none other: He is playing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Crowder turned 31 on Tuesday, the day that his Phoenix Suns open the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. He will be the first player in NBA history to play Game 1 of the title series on his birthday.