Giannis Makes Comeback to Bucks After COVID-19 Setback: Preseason Debut Looms as Team Faces Challenge Without Him
After spending the last few days of his offseason recovering from COVID-19 in Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo made his long-awaited return to practice with the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. The star forward, who had missed the initial days of training camp, participated in non-contact drills as he gradually worked his way back to full fitness under the supervision of head coach Doc Rivers.
Antetokounmpo admitted that his body had been significantly affected by the illness, stating that he was still not feeling 100%. Despite that, he remains hopeful and optimistic about regaining full strength in time for the Bucks’ preseason opener against the Miami Heat, which is just around the corner. “It took a toll on my body,” Giannis confessed. “I’m just taking it day by day and getting back in shape. I was able to do some 5-on-0 drills, run up and down a little bit. Tomorrow, I’ll be a little better. I’ve got 18 days until the first game, so I think I’ll be fine.”
The two-time MVP and NBA Finals MVP joined the team in Miami on Friday, following a brief stay in his native Greece. He had been forced to miss the Bucks’ media day on Monday, where he took part remotely, and was also absent from the team’s early camp activities in Milwaukee. However, his presence in the gym marks a step forward in his recovery process.
Coach Rivers acknowledged that Giannis would need a few more days to fully integrate back into the team’s regular drills. “He said he’s going to need a good three days,” Rivers explained. Though Antetokounmpo is still working to find his rhythm, the Bucks’ coaching staff sees this period as an opportunity to explore the team’s performance without their star player.
In Giannis’ absence, the Bucks have been focusing on the critical minutes when he’s off the floor—a key aspect of their overall success, according to Rivers. “The key to our team every year is the minutes when Giannis is off the floor,” Rivers said. “So, we’ve been working on that, and maybe that’ll help us in the long run.”
This time without their superstar could provide valuable insights into how the team functions without Antetokounmpo on the court, which is crucial given his central role in the team’s system. For the Bucks, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune their game plan and evaluate how other players contribute during those critical stretches.
As the preseason opener draws near, all eyes are on Giannis and his recovery. With just under three weeks before the regular season begins, the hope is that he will be at full strength to lead the Bucks into what promises to be another championship-contending year.
