Is Giannis Antetokounmpo alright? Milwaukee Bucks forced to rest their star player

Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed unbeatable against the Knicks until an awkward landing changed everything. In the fourth quarter, he reached for his knee, and the celebration quickly turned into concern.

It was a minor gesture, but serious enough to raise some eyebrows. Ever since, the lack of information about his status has been louder than any updates from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s knee trouble began during Milwaukee Bucks’ win over New York Knicks

The knee problem goes back to the Bucks' last game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, while the Bucks were clinching a tough win, Antetokounmpo bumped into a Knicks defender close to the basket.

He was spotted holding his left knee in clear pain as he tried to rise, which is unusual for the 6-foot-11 forward famous for his nonstop energy.This strain occurred in the last moments of the game as Milwaukee clinched the win. Antetokounmpo ended that game with his standard stat line, but the tweak was enough to raise a flag for the team. The Bucks' official injury report for the Warriors game, released on Wednesday, October 29, indicated he was probable with left knee soreness.

He even joined in on the pre-game warmups on Thursday, checking out the knee before the final decision was made.

The Milwaukee Bucks' communications team announced the update through their official X (formerly Twitter) account: "Injury Report - Oct. 30 vs. Golden State: Probable: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Left Knee Soreness)." However, about an hour before the 8 p.m. ET start, they downgraded him to out, highlighting the need for caution.

Milwaukee Bucks stay careful as Doc Rivers addresses Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury status

Head coach Doc Rivers talked about Antetokounmpo's situation earlier today during a media session in Milwaukee. While chatting with reporters before the Warriors game, Rivers mentioned, "I think he's going but I really don't know yet." He had earlier told the same group that Antetokounmpo would go with the team to the arena, but he stressed that it was unclear if he would actually play.

Rivers' remarks showed he had been monitoring the situation all day, as the Bucks tried to balance Antetokounmpo's health with the crucial game against a Warriors team that was strengthened by Stephen Curry's return from injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence forces the Milwaukee Bucks to rethink spacing and defense

With Antetokounmpo out, the Bucks relied on Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton to step up against Golden State. The Warriors, who were already without De'Anthony Melton recovering from an ACL injury, still had a dangerous edge thanks to Curry's shooting skills. Milwaukee's bench was put to the test, as players like Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince got more playing time—something fantasy basketball experts pointed out could benefit those role players.The Bucks came into the game with a 3-0 record, riding high on Antetokounmpo's impressive performance. His absence threw a wrench in that flow, making the team rethink their offensive spacing and defensive strategies. In the long run, this might put a strain on the team's early-season momentum in the competitive Eastern Conference, where every victory is crucial for playoff positioning.With 78 games remaining, Milwaukee's bench should keep things steady while their star recovers. Make sure to watch for official updates from the team; Antetokounmpo's comeback is eagerly awaited by a squad looking for another deep playoff journey.Also Read: “If you can play, play” — Carmelo Anthony sides with Michael Jordan and calls out modern NBA stars for hiding behind load management