Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo out with calf strain for Game 2 vs. Pacers: What this means for Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tuesday’s Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers as he continues to rehab his calf strain, the team announced.

Antetokounmpo also missed Sunday’s Game 1 win — and the final three games of the regular season — due to the injury, which he suffered against the Boston Celtics on April 9.

The eight-time NBA All-Star played in 73 games this season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and a career-high 6.5 assists per game. He has had multiple past injuries, including Achilles tendinitis and a hamstring issue on his left leg, the same leg in which he strained his calf.

The game tips off at 8:30 pm ET at Fiserv Forum.

Despite his doubtful pregame injury designation, the decision to sit out Antetokounmpo for Game 2 is not all that surprising. Rivers has told reporters Antetokounmpo has been able to do some light shooting and get out on the floor for walk-throughs, but has not yet been able to do anything live.

Rivers told reporters Monday that Antetokounmpo had a “maintenance day” after four straight days of on-court work as part of his rehab. The Bucks’ coach also told reporters he did not have a timeline for Antetokounmpo’s return.

With Antetokounmpo out, Milwaukee will once again lean on Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to run things on the offensive end. Lillard delivered in a massive way in Game 1 with 35 points in the first half, the most points ever scored in the first half by a Bucks player in franchise history, to give them a 27-point halftime lead.

In the second half, Lillard did not score as the Pacers double-teamed the ball out of his hands, but it didn’t matter, as his sterling first-half performance had given Milwaukee a big enough lead to win Game 1 with ease.

While his performance might not have been as spectacular as Lillard’s, Middleton tallied 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds and four assists and consistently made important baskets to protect the Bucks’ lead and keep the Pacers at arm’s length. If Milwaukee is going to win Game 2 without Antetokounmpo, it will need heavy production from both players again Tuesday.

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(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)