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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return Saturday against the Chicago Bulls—as long as he clears pregame testing—after missing time with a right calf strain, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, citing league and team sources.
Key details (quick read):
- Expected to play: Saturday vs. Chicago if he passes pregame fitness tests
- Injury: right calf strain; he missed eight games
- Possible limitation: minutes restriction is on the table as Milwaukee eases him back
- Game context: Bulls host Bucks Saturday night; Chicago has been rolling lately
Bucks Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo Back vs. Bulls, If He Clears Testing
Nehm reported that Milwaukee expects Antetokounmpo to return and play Saturday vs. the Bulls pending pregame tests, a notable step forward after the Bucks star has been sidelined by the calf issue.
The timing is obvious: Milwaukee has been trying to stabilize without its engine. Antetokounmpo has been his usual force when available this season, averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 63.9% from the field. The two-time MVP completely changes the Bucks’ chances when he’s on the court, even in limited fashion.
If he’s officially cleared, it’s also a “today” story for a second reason: it immediately changes how Chicago has to guard Milwaukee. The Bucks’ shot profile, transition pressure, and free-throw creation all look different the moment Antetokounmpo steps back onto the floor.
What It Means for Milwaukee’s Lineup (and a Possible Minutes Restriction)
Even if Antetokounmpo is active, the most important detail to watch is how he’s deployed. The report indicates the Bucks could ease him back with a minutes restriction, which would be typical for a lower-leg return, especially with a calf strain.
Milwaukee also needs the “Giannis effect” for a simple reason: results. During the stretch he missed, the Bucks struggled to stack wins, going 2-6 in the eight games he sat, per Brew Hoop’s summary of the situation.
If he’s limited, the Bucks can still treat this as a ramp-up game while leaning on their established rotation pieces, then gradually scale him up over the next week. The moment could not come at a better time: Milwaukee has to start banking wins, and getting Antetokounmpo back (even at less than 100%) changes the stakes for everyone in the East race.
Bucks-Bulls Saturday: Records, Tip Time, and What’s Next
December 27’s matchup comes with urgency for both sides. The Bucks enter at 12-19 and the Bulls are 15-15 entering the meeting, with Chicago carrying momentum into the weekend.
What to watch once lineups go official:
- Pregame status: whether Antetokounmpo is cleared and whether Milwaukee signals any cap on his workload
- How Chicago reacts: the Bulls have been playing well, and this matchup looks different if the Bucks can consistently collapse the paint with Antetokounmpo back
- The next checkpoint: Milwaukee’s next game on the schedule is at Charlotte on Monday, making this a quick turnaround stretch if Giannis returns.
The story closer to tipoff time will write itself off what happens next. Either “Giannis returns on a minutes limit” (and how he looked) or “Giannis scratched late” if the testing doesn’t go his way.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Anderson is also the host of The Rip City Pod on The I-5 Corridor, where he dives into the stories and personalities shaping the Portland Trail Blazers. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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