Antetokounmpo gets injured as Bucks beat Pistons

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 113-109 despite losing two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo to injury early in the game.

Antetokounmpo, 30, fell to the floor in the third minute and had to be helped off the court by his teammates.

Announcement

The Bucks trailed by 18 points in the first quarter, but fought back at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for just their second win in 10 games.

Kevin Porter Jr recorded 26 points for the Bucks, with Ryan Rollins adding 22 and AJ Green scoring 11 of his 19 in the fourth quarter to fuel the comeback.

“It was a fantastic win,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said.

“We got down early, missed everything, great shots, but couldn’t get anything to fall.

“And Giannis gets hurt… reacting, it shows a lot about this team.”

Detroit remains at the top of the Eastern Conference after its fifth defeat of the season, with Milwaukee in tenth place.

Announcement

The Bucks initially thought Antetokounmpo had a right calf strain, but are waiting for confirmation after the Greek forward had an MRI.

Prior to the game, rumors had surfaced via ESPN that Antetokounmpo was “mulling his future” with the franchise.

But Rivers said there had been “no conversation” about a possible trade.

Elsewhere, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined for 48 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers end a five-game losing streak with a 115-92 win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Jamal Murray scored a season-high 52 points as the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 135-120 in Indianapolis.