Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss tonight’s game against Phoenix due to right knee soreness, head coach Jason Kidd told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
The injury appears to be related to his knee issues this past summer, which forced him to miss the bi-annual EuroBasket tournament, in which he normally represents his home country Greece. Kidd did not specify the severity of the Greek Freak’s injury, but expect him to be evaluated on a game-to-game basis as they begin their four-game west coast roadstand tonight.
The Bucks were already shorthanded prior to this announcement, as John Henson (eye), Matthew Dellavedova (knee), and Mirza Teletovic (knee) are all out tonight as well.
This could be the first 20+ point performance from Eric Bledsoe, who will lead the offense against his former team in the Phoenix Suns. Thon Maker figures to start at center with two-way dealer Joel Bolomboy poised for significant time off the bench.
DJ Wilson will be expected to step up and potentially start in place of Giannis tonight. Outside of garbage time, Wilson has yet to find a crack in Jason Kidd’s rotations thus far this season, but Kidd doesn’t have much of a choice at this point.
Greg Monroe gets his first revenge game against Milwaukee tonight. Moose is averaging 12 points and six rebounds for the Suns since returning from a calf injury which sidelined him for multiple weeks.
