Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said he hoped to return to Sunday’s game after appearing to hyperextend his left knee, but the team’s medical staff ultimately decided it was best for him to remain out, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
At the time of the injury, Milwaukee was holding a comfortable double-digit lead over the Indiana Pacers.
Even though Antetokounmpo believed he could continue playing, the medical staff determined the potential risk outweighed the benefit of sending him back onto the floor, and he was persuaded to sit out the remainder of the game.
“That was the time that you gotta look back and you just gotta listen. Just gotta listen,” he said. “And I listened. But I try not to make it bigger than what it is.”
Antetokounmpo added that from his perspective he felt capable of finishing the game, but he understood the decision to prioritize caution.
“I felt like I could finish the game. But the training staff thought it wasn’t smart for me to do so, so I just gotta trust them and go from there.”
Antetokounmpo has played 13 seasons for the Bucks. He has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 895 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 9 All-Star games.
He has won 1 Most Improved Player award, 1 Defensive Player of the Year award, 2 MVP awards, 1 Finals MVP award, and 1 NBA championship.
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