The Milwaukee Bucks are bracing for life without Giannis Antetokounmpo - at least for the next few weeks. The two-time MVP suffered a calf injury during a recent matchup with the Denver Nuggets, and he’s now expected to miss four to six weeks as he recovers. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s a significant blow.
Giannis has been the engine of this Bucks squad for years, and even in a season filled with trade whispers and swirling speculation, he’s continued to deliver at an elite level - averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game so far in the 2025-26 campaign. His absence isn’t just a hit to Milwaukee’s stat sheet - it’s a seismic shift in their identity on both ends of the floor.
Naturally, this has reignited the long-running conversation around load management and how teams handle the workload of their stars, especially those who represent their countries in international play. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers addressed that very topic on Monday, and he didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation.
“Yeah, you’re not stopping that,” Rivers said when asked about Giannis playing for Greece in the offseason. “It’s a good debate, but you’re not going to win the debate.”
Rivers knows the stakes. He’s coached long enough to understand the delicate balance between preserving a player’s health and respecting their passion - especially when that passion extends beyond the NBA.
Giannis isn’t just a franchise cornerstone in Milwaukee; he’s a national icon in Greece. Telling him not to suit up for his country?
That’s a non-starter.
“In the summertime, yeah, we always have a minute restriction for him,” Rivers explained. “He doesn’t play back-to-backs.
He had a minute restriction all summer, which frustrated him. Even in practice - we limit the time, the load on the floor.
We’ve got a guy with him full time. And I’ve got to assume every other team does too with their guys.”
It’s clear the Bucks have been proactive in managing Giannis’ workload during the offseason, but as Rivers pointed out, there’s only so much control a team can exert when national pride is involved. For international stars like Antetokounmpo, playing for their country isn’t just optional - it’s personal.
While the debate over offseason minutes and international play will continue, what’s not up for discussion is the immediate impact of Giannis’ absence. The Bucks will now have to navigate a tough stretch without their leader - and that means more responsibility for the supporting cast, more pressure on the coaching staff, and more questions about how this team can stay afloat in a competitive Eastern Conference.
For now, Milwaukee’s focus shifts to weathering the storm. Giannis will be sidelined, but the season rolls on - and the Bucks will need to find a way to keep pace until their superstar is back in uniform.