A Giannis Antetokounmpo injury doomed the Bucks in the first round last season.
And Milwaukee now has to hope its not déjà vu.
The No. 3-seeded Bucks are preparing to be without the two-time MVP “for the start” of their first-round series against the No. 6 Pacers because of a left calf strain, according to ESPN.
They are hopeful he can return for later in the series as he has been undergoing treatment to aid a potential return, per the report
Antetokounmpo suffered the calf strain against the Celtics on April 9 and missed Milwaukee’s final three regular-season games, including consecutive defeats in the last two games that allowed the Knicks to jump them for the No. 2 seed and potential home-court advantage for a playoff series.
Last season, Antetokounmpo suffered an injury in Game 1 of the first round against the Heat and Milwaukee never recovered, falling in five games.
Game 1 of the Pacers series is set for Sunday in Milwaukee.
