Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out for Game 6 of ECF with knee injury
Jul 3, 2021, 11:53 AM | Updated: 11:59 am
Injured Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo watches from the bench as his team takes on the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA basketball playoffs Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
(Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of Saturday’s Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks.
The two-time MVP will miss his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks are leading 3-2.
Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela.
In the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo off with knee hyperextension injury. Unfortunately brings many possibilities.
Best case: bone bruise, PCL/capsular sprain
Worst case: ACL injury
Hope for best case but concerned w significant hyperextension movement. 🤞🤞pic.twitter.com/6DYIDcY5SG— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 30, 2021
Bucks’ Bobby Portis is expected to get his second straight playoff start after scoring 22 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Milwaukee’s 123-112 victory on Thursday night.
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Hawks point guard Trae Young was still listed as questionable on the NBA’s injury report on Saturday and will likely be a game-time decision.
Young missed the two previous games with a bone bruise in his right foot after inadvertently stepping on an official’s foot and twisting his ankle in Game 3.
Veteran sixth man Lou Williams has started the last two games for the Hawks.
Milwaukee can clinch its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974 with one more victory over the Hawks, who haven’t reach the championship round since moving to Atlanta in 1968.
The winner of the Eastern Conference Finals will face the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
Game 6 of the ECF takes place on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m.
If the series ends in six games, Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Tuesday in Phoenix.
If the series goes seven games, Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Thursday in Phoenix.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
