Milwaukee Bucks fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their star forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed his 11th straight game due to a right calf strain. Despite participating in a pregame workout at Fiserv Forum, Giannis was sidelined for the matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
The absence of the Greek Freak was felt as the Bucks fell 122-94, snapping a three-game winning streak and bringing their season record to 24-31. With the Eastern Conference playoff race heating up, Milwaukee is banking on Giannis’ return to ignite a late-season surge. His health remains a pivotal concern, alongside swirling trade rumors expected to resurface post-season.
In the game against Toronto, the Bucks had some standout performances. Porter led with 21 points and 10 assists, marking his seventh double-digit assist game this season.
Myles Turner made a strong comeback from a two-game injury hiatus, contributing 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Off the bench, Cam Thomas added 15 points, while Ryan Rollins scored 21 points, despite a challenging 6-of-17 shooting night, and grabbed nine rebounds.
Ousmane Dieng had a tough game, going scoreless in 15 minutes.
Giannis’ impact is clear when looking at the Bucks' performance this season. They hold a balanced 15-15 record when he plays but have struggled to a 9-16 record without him. As both teams gear up for back-to-back home games, Toronto is set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, while Milwaukee prepares for crucial clashes against the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Bucks are hopeful that Giannis will soon be back on the court, ready to lead them in the push for the playoffs. His presence is not just a boost in talent but a critical component of Milwaukee’s strategy moving forward.