Giannis Antetokounmpo participated in practice with the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time this season on Saturday. He had previously missed the initial days of training camp while recuperating from COVID-19 in his home country, Greece.
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers noted that Antetokounmpo was limited to non-contact drills and indicated he would need approximately three days to fully recover.
Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami on Friday. The team`s media day took place on Monday (with Giannis participating remotely), followed by the start of camp in Milwaukee on Tuesday. On Thursday, the team traveled to Miami for several days of practice at Florida International University, ahead of their preseason opener against the Heat on Monday.
Giannis commented on his recovery from the illness, stating, “I believe it impacted my body. I`m not yet feeling 100% physically. I`m taking it one day at a time, getting back into shape. I managed to do some 5-on-0 drills and ran a bit. I expect to feel a bit better tomorrow. With approximately 18 days until the first game, I believe I`ll be ready.”
Antetokounmpo, who will turn 31 in December, is set to begin his 13th NBA season, all of which have been with Milwaukee. His extensive accolades include nine All-Star selections, an NBA championship, two regular season MVP awards, and an NBA Finals MVP. He is also one of only two players to have maintained an average of at least 30 points per game in each of the last three seasons, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder being the other.
According to Rivers, Antetokounmpo`s temporary absence from parts of training camp could prove beneficial. The Bucks are already well aware of his capabilities, and practicing without him allows the team to explore strategies for periods when Giannis is off the court.
Rivers emphasized, “The crucial aspect for our team every year is the minutes when Giannis is not on the floor. Therefore, we`ve been focusing on that, and it might just benefit us in the long run.”
Rupert Hollis