The biggest question on everyone’s minds when Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a hyperextended knee injury in Game 4: what’s the typical recovery time?
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a gruesome-looking knee injury in Game 4. The two-time MVP returned to the team’s bench, but with the team down big, he did not return. Naturally, everyone in the basketball world is wondering whether will Giannis be available in Game 5.
While we don’t know the severity of his injury yet, according to WebMD, it typically takes 1-2 weeks to recover from a hyperextended knee injury. It’ll take longer if there is any ligament damage, which at this point we don’t know whether Antetokounmpo has. You can walk on a hyperextended knee, but jumping, changing directions, and, you know, basketball movements are difficult with such an injury.
The fact that Giannis has suffered injuries to the same knee in the past is also not a good sign.
How long will Giannis Antetokounmpo be out?
The over-arching point here is it’s questionable at best that Giannis will be able to play in Game 5. It was not surprising when the team listed him as doubtful for Thursday’s pivotal matchup.
Otherwise, there’s a chance Giannis can return later in the series or by the NBA Finals if they close it out before he’s ready.