Giannis Antetokounmpo returns Monday after five-week absence

Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to make his return Monday when the Milwaukee Bucks face the Boston Celtics, marking his comeback from a right calf strain that has sidelined him for the past five weeks.

His absence forced Milwaukee to adjust its rotation, but the team managed to stay competitive while waiting for its star forward to recover.

Currently, the Bucks sit two games behind both the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks in the loss column as they chase the final play-in position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Despite playing without Antetokounmpo during much of that stretch, Milwaukee has gone 6-4 over its last 10 games, keeping itself within reach of postseason contention.

Leading up to the trade deadline, the Bucks evaluated multiple trade inquiries involving Antetokounmpo, though the organization ultimately decided to keep him and continue building around its franchise cornerstone.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Set For Monday Return From Right Calf Strain https://t.co/bdadsfp6lM

— RealGM (@RealGM) March 2, 2026