The basketball world is still awaiting Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 2024 NBA playoff debut — if there will even be one.
The Bucks superstar was ruled out for Game 3 of the team’s series against the Pacers — which stands at 1-1 — as he continues to deal with a left calf strain.
Fellow All-Star Khris Middleton was in the lineup for the Bucks after tweaking his ankle on Tuesday in Game 2 after being ruled active earlier in the day.
Antetokounmpo originally injured his calf on a non-contact play in the Bucks’ 104-91 win against the Celtics on April 9.
Antetokounmpo — who finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists — logged 28 minutes in the game.
It was then confirmed he would miss the rest of the regular season.
The Bucks won Game 1 of their playoff series earlier this week, led by an explosive effort from Damian Lillard, who scored 35 first-half points (and also ended the game with 35 points).
Middleton chipped in 23 and 10 rebounds in the game, with Bobby Portis adding 15 points and 11 boards.
In Game 2, the Bucks were routed at home by the Pacers.
Indiana won 125-108 behind 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists from Pascal Siakam, along with a combined 42 points from Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard.
The injury news briefly went from bad to worse for the Bucks, who saw Lillard seemingly tweak his left knee in the first quarter.
He went to the locker room but checked in for the second quarter.
