Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out Of Game 4 Due To Ankle Spain

TOPLINE

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player and the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year, has been ruled out of Sunday’s Game 4 after reinjuring his right ankle in the second quarter of the Milwaukee Bucks matchup with the Miami Heat.

KEY FACTS

Key Background:

Should Milwaukee go on to lose Game 4 this afternoon, it would bring a once-promising season to an incredibly disappointing conclusion. The Bucks’ 56-17 (.767) regular-season record was the best in the NBA in 2019-20 and the third-best in franchise history. Milwaukee outscored its opponents by 10.1 points per game, tied for the 11th-highest net differential in NBA history. The Bucks entered the postseason as the heavy favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. However, after posting an incredible 52-8 record over their first 60 contests, Milwaukee never found its groove in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, losing five of their final seven regular-season contests. 

Big Number:

31.85: Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to take home his second consecutive MVP award later this month after posting a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 31.85 in 2019-20, the highest PER ever recorded in a single season. 

Further Reading:

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star out for rest of Game 4 vs. Heat with right ankle sprain (CBS Sports) 

As Playoffs Begin, A Notable Number For Each Team In The NBA’s Eastern Conference (Forbes)