Will Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 6 for Hawks vs. Bucks?

With the Milwaukee Bucks one win away from reaching the 2021 NBA Finals, will star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday?

The Milwaukee Bucks are now one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974 after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 on Thursday night. Milwaukee did so without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered a hyperextended left knee during Game 4 this past Tuesday night.

With Game 6 scheduled to take place this Saturday, July 3, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Bucks fans are understandably curious if Antetokounmpo will be available to play. Those Bucks fans should not be counting on the Greek Freak taking the court for Game 6, because the situation is very cloudy.

Per Shams Charania, Giannis is listed as doubtful for Game 6.

Bucks: Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be available to play in Game 6 vs. Hawks?

During Game 4, Antetokounmpo’s left knee buckled after attempting to contest a dunk by Hawks center Clint Capela. The injury was a gut-punch to the Bucks, as they entered Game 4 with a heavy advantage in Hawks star guard Trae Young being ruled out due to a deep bone bruise in his right foot. One half later, Antetokounmpo was helped off the court after his left knee hyperextension.

The following day, the Bucks dodged a major bullet when MRI results revealed that Antetokounmpo suffered no structural damage in his left knee. However, a timetable for the Bucks star’s return is unclear, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe. Given that there is no set date for his return, Antetokounmpo should be viewed as doubtful to play in Game 6 this weekend.

Through his four appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 62.3 percent.

Brook Lopez stepped up in a huge way in Game 5 for the Bucks, as he tallied 33 points (14-of-18 shooting from the field), 7 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals in 38 minutes of playing time. Khris Middleton (26 points, 13 rebounds) and Jrue Holiday (25 points, 13 assists) both notched double-doubles in the Game 5 victory.

Even though the Bucks would like Antetokounmpo to suit up for Game 6, that does not appear to be in the cards.