Posted on: February 17, 2023, 09:52h.
Final up to date on: February 17, 2023, 10:40h.
Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo sustained a proper wrist harm in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday evening and exited the sport within the first half. Even with out Antetokounmpo, the Bucks nonetheless held off the Bulls to increase their successful streak to 12 victories in a row.
The freakish harm occurred within the second quarter after Antetokounmpo tried a blocked shot, however collided with a stanchion. He shortly left the court docket and didn’t return to the sport. X-rays have been detrimental, and Antetokounmpo was recognized with a sprained wrist.
We’ll simply see how he feels tomorrow, see how he feels the following few days and proceed to judge it,” stated head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Antetokounmpo performed solely 9 minutes previous to his harm. He scored solely two factors, however hauled down seven rebounds and dished three assists.
There’s probability that Antetokounmpo skips the upcoming 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in an effort to protect his well being for a championship run.
Need to hope Giannis’ wrist/hand is okay after this pic.twitter.com/xPBroLtViA
— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) February 17, 2023
NBA Expertise Competitors in Doubt for Greek Freak
The 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend takes place at Vivint Enviornment in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah beginning Friday. The wrist harm may stop Antetokounmpo from taking part in within the precise NBA All-Star Sport, and he may miss the NBA Kia Expertise Competitors.
Followers voted Antetokounmpo in as an NBA All-Star Sport captain representing the Jap Convention. LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers is the opposite captain, repping the Western Convention. As captains, James and Antetokounmpo will draft groups previous to the All-Star Sport on Sunday.
Antetokounmpo was slated to Play for Workforce Antetokounmpo with each of his brothers, Alex and Thanasis, within the abilities competitors on Saturday.
If Antetokounmpo is unable to Play, it’s unknown if the NBA has a contingency plan to discover a substitute. His youthful brother, Kostas, at the moment performs professional ball abroad in Turkey. It’s unknown if he can fly to Salt Lake Metropolis in time to fill in for his older brother.
Within the abilities competitors, the Antetokounmpos will battle groups representing the host metropolis and rookies. Three members of the Utah Jazz — Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Walker Kessler — are collaborating for Workforce Jazz because the host metropolis. Workforce Rooks contains Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Jabari Smith, Jr. (Houston Rockets), and Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons).
All sportsbooks pulled the NBA Expertise Competitors off the betting board till they get an replace on Antetokounmpo. Earlier than the harm, Workforce Antetokounmpo have been lengthy photographs at DraftKings to Win the abilities competitors at +475 odds. Workforce Jazz was the preliminary favourite at -120, and Workforce Rooks was +140.
Bucks Lengthen Successful Streak to 12 Straight
The Bucks head into the All-Star break using excessive on a 12-game successful streak. With a 41-17 document, the Bucks path the first-place Boston Celtics (42-17) by a half-game within the Jap Convention standings.
As the highest two groups within the East, the Celtics and Bucks will battle one another within the ultimate quarter of the season for the #1 seed within the playoffs. The Bucks defeated the Celtics on Tuesday in an time beyond regulation thriller.
Even with out Antetokounmpo for almost all of Thursday evening’s sport in opposition to the Bulls, the Bucks pulled off a 112-100 victory. Bucks heart Brook Lopez led all scorers with 33 factors.
It feels good,” stated guard Jrue Vacation. “Now we have the boldness, we have now the rhythm, hopefully we will maintain it popping out of the break.”
The Chicago Bulls (26-33) continued their dropping streak and head into the break with six losses in a row.
The Bucks are +600 odds to Win the 2022-23 NBA championship because the third-highest favourite on DraftKings’ futures board, sitting behind the Celtics (+275) and Phoenix Suns (+425).
The Celtics are +115 odds to Win the Jap Convention in back-to-back seasons. The Bucks are +240 odds to Win the convention and return to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons.
Antetokounmpo averages 31.8 factors, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per sport this season. He’s the NBA’s second-best rebounder and third general in scoring.
Antetokounmpo is the third favourite to Win the MVP on the NBA awards board at +700 odds. Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic from the Denver Nuggets is the consensus favourite at -250 odds, adopted by Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers at +425 odds.
