Giannis Antetokounmpo is returning from injury, and it could tip the scales in the Bucks’ first-round NBA playoff series versus the Heat.
The Greek Freak has been cleared to return from a lower back contusion for Monday’s Game 4 in Miami after missing the previous two-plus games, according to multiple reports.
The 28-year-old two-time NBA MVP’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the Bucks, who trail the Heat 2-1 in the series.
Antetokounmpo played just 10:50 in the Bucks’ Game 1 loss on April 16 due to the injury, but Milwaukee was able to level the series in Game 2 without him.
The Heat then crushed the Bucks, 121-99, in Game 3 to retake the series lead.
Antetokounmpo earned his seventh consecutive All-Star nod this season, averaging a career-high 31.1 points along with 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 55.3 percent from the field.
Two years ago, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971.
The Bucks were bounced by the Celtics in a seven-game second-round series last postseason.
Milwaukee has won at least one playoff series in each of the previous four postseasons, last being knocked out in the first round by the Celtics in 2018.
The winner of this series faces the winner of the Knicks-Cavaliers series, which New York leads 3-1.