Questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health status surfaced earlier this week after a statement from the National Basketball Players Association hinted he might be ready to return. Still, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers pushed back on that idea.
According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Rivers explained on Wednesday that Antetokounmpo is still working his way back from a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise that have kept him sidelined since March 15.
“He’s not (healthy),” Rivers said. “He’s progressing. He’s just not healthy. Our focus right now is just getting him healthy. We’re just trying to get Giannis cleared and healthy; that’s our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.”
Recent reports suggested there may be differing views between Antetokounmpo and the organization about whether he should return this season, with Milwaukee favoring a cautious approach while the two-time MVP is eager to play.
The NBPA’s statement implied the team could be holding him out to improve draft positioning, something Rivers downplayed.
“We didn’t have a meeting about this (statement from the NBPA),” Rivers said. “We didn’t have one discussion. (General manager) Jon Horst didn’t call me to talk about this, just to show you the concern we have.”
ICYMI: The NBPA seemed to imply in a statement earlier this week that Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy enough to play, but that’s not the case, according to head coach Doc Rivers. That + more injury updates from around the NBA. https://t.co/CJQk0FnjRG
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 26, 2026
