The Milwaukee Bucks were extremely shorthanded during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, which led to their six-game elimination in the first round against the Indiana Pacers.

Throughout the series, Milwaukee was without their top player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, while their other star, Damian Lillard, played through injury, missing two games due to an Achilles strain.

Antetokounmpo has not played since early April due to a right calf strain, and he made a big revelation regarding his injury and potential return to action.

"I tried my best to come back to help my teammates... But I just couldn't. I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes and I wasn't even close at like checking the boxes," the 2021 NBA Finals MVP said on Thursday, May 2, after their season-ending loss in Game 6.

Antetokounmpo also missed several playoff games last season due to a back injury, losing in the first round against the Miami Heat.

Giannis Antetokounmpo could barely run

The 29-year-old admitted that he was far from returning to action due to the severity of his calf strain.

"It was not safe for me to be out there because I couldn't run full speed. I could run only 30-40%. Even now I can't run full speed," Antetokoumpo added.

Antetokounmpo sustained the injury during the third quarter of the Bucks' 104-91 win against the Boston Celtics last April 9.