NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo injured in right calf

Milwaukee lost its superstar early against Detroit: Giannis Antetokounmpo was forced to leave the game after a non-contact right calf injury just three minutes after tip-off. He won’t return to the court tonight and no timeline for his absence has been announced

Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a right calf strain after the Bucks fell behind big early against the Pistons tonight.

Giannis appeared fine, then suddenly went down.

Who knows whether this is the last time Giannis plays in a Bucks uniform at this rate.pic.twitter.com/ks10Cz68WB

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 4, 2025

A worrying incident

The incident happened early in the first quarter, after Giannis Antetokounmpo had made two free throws, grabbed a rebound and fed an assist. On a defensive play he went down alone while retreating, clutched his leg and left the court. The medical staff quickly pulled him out for examination.

A stop-start season

This injury comes while Giannis’s season has already been hit by physical problems — a left adductor injury in late November already cost him several games. His availability is a sensitive issue for Milwaukee, which now has to manage the uncertainty around its best player, on and off the floor, with growing rumours he’s tempted to look elsewhere.

Immediate consequences for the rotation

Without their leader the Bucks had to rejig rotations straight away, dumping more responsibility on secondary bigs like Jericho Sims. His exit weakens Milwaukee’s ability to impose its game and raises questions ahead of the next test: hosting the 76ers on Friday night.

What to watch

The items to follow in the coming hours are: the results of further tests (possible MRI), the club’s official medical statement and the timetable for re-evaluation. With a recent history of leg-related absences, any spell out will hit the franchise’s ambitions.

The Bucks’ staff and medical team haven’t given a precise estimate on the length of the layoff. Losing Giannis Antetokounmpo, even for a short spell, changes the shape of the Eastern Conference. The next official statements should clarify the diagnosis.