Despite being one game down to a formidable Heat team, there was hope within the Milwaukee Bucks that Giannis Antetokounmpo would recover from his back injury and participate in the scheduled second game.
Unfortunately, that will not be the case, as Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated before the game that Antetokounmpo will not be playing on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
Breaking: Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 2 vs. the Heat, the Bucks announced. pic.twitter.com/CVliTCYSFO
— ESPN (@espn) April 19, 2023
Read More: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo Forced to Exit Game 1
Jrue Holiday Should Step Up
Antetokounmpo sustained his back injury during the first quarter of Game 1 when he fell after Kevin Love attempted to charge and slid under him.
Antetokounmpo tried to continue playing despite his back injury, but he was eventually forced to leave the game. As a result, the Bucks lost the opening game at home.
On the other hand, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat will be absent due to a fractured hand that he sustained during Game 1, leading to his surgery this week.
Antetokounmpo performed exceptionally well this season, averaging 31.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, and the Bucks were 7.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court. However, when Antetokounmpo was not playing, the Bucks' performance was just average (-0.4 net rating).
Jrue Holiday could have a significant performance, as he had frequently stepped up in games when Antetokounmpo was absent this season.
The Bucks' defense, one of the best in the league but conceded 130 points to the Heat in Game 1, must also improve.
Milwaukee must find a way to win, as falling to a 0-2 record and heading to Miami would be risky for the No. 1 seed.
Related Article: Heat Injury Report: Tyler Herro to Miss Weeks
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