GIANNIS DOES ALL HE CAN
Coach, mates say Bucks star was big help from bench
ATLANTA — Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo walked off the court with a gigantic smile.
He had on a 2021 Finals hat with the Bucks’ logo, just like his teammates. Unlike his teammates, however, he wasn’t in uniform, wearing a black Bucks T-shirt and black cut-off sweatpants.
The Bucks had just won the Eastern Conference championship and advanced to the NBA Finals with a 118-107 victory Saturday against the Hawks in Game 6, and Antetokounmpo didn’t play. He also missed Game 5 — another Bucks victory — because of a hyperextended left knee suffered in Game 4.
‘‘There’s a bittersweetness to him not being able to play these last two games,’’ Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Injuries decimated teams and their title dreams this season, from Anthony Davis and the Lakers to Mike Conley and the Jazz to James Harden, Kyrie Irving and the Nets to Jamal Murray and the Nuggets. Then the Bucks lost Antetokounmpo.
‘‘I don’t think anybody was really feeling all that great about anything,’’ Bucks guard Pat Connaughton said about the Hawks tying the series at 2-2.
But the Bucks found a way to win two games, and Antetokounmpo had an influence on the outcome, even though he didn’t play a second or score a point.
Antetokounmpo had a spot right next to the coaches on the bench. During timeouts, he talked with players who had taken seats while waiting for Budenholzer to address the team in the huddle. Budenholzer said the referees almost gave Antetokounmpo a delay-of-game warning for being too far on the court while the ball was in play.
‘‘To see that kind of leadership, that kind of connection, that kind of commitment from a player you know would be dying to be out there and playing, I just loved his energy on the bench,’’ Budenholzer said. ‘‘I just loved the togetherness that he brings to our group.’’
Guard Jrue Holiday, who had 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the clincher, said players didn’t need to make a concerted effort to keep Antetokounmpo engaged.
‘‘This is probably the most I’ve seen Giannis talk, like, the whole game,’’ Holiday said. ‘‘He’s motivating everybody. He’s motivating me, telling me to push the pace, telling me to keep being aggressive and telling me to lock people up. How talkative he’s been has been awesome for us and very, very encouraging.’’
Antetokounmpo and forward Khris Middleton have been with the Bucks since Antetokounmpo was drafted in 2013. They embraced in the postgame celebration before the Bucks were awarded the Eastern Conference championship trophy.
‘‘Definitely wish he was out there with us,’’ said Middleton, who scored a game-high 32 points in Game 6. ‘‘But he’s still here with us. He’s still a part of it, whether he’s playing or not. Hope he’s back out there soon, but I think he still appreciates it all.’’
What’s next for Antetokounmpo? The Bucks said there was no structural damage, but they gave no timetable for his return.
‘‘You have to listen to the player, and then you have to listen to the sports-performance group,’’ Budenholzer said. ‘‘And at some point, [general manager] Jon Horst and myself are part of the conversations. But it’s just a day-today thing. We’ll update it when appropriate.’’