Giannis Antetokounmpo sparks concerns after leaving Bucks game

Hearts were left racing in the NBA on Friday when two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out of the remainder of the Milwaukee Bucks' game against Chicago following an awkward collision with the basket. Antetokounmpo did not return after colliding with the stanchion going for a block on Bulls point guard Coby White.

The eyebrow-raising incident occurred early in the second quarter, with the 28-year-old immediately sent for X-rays on his wrist. Fortunately for the Bucks they easily accounted for the Bulls despite his absence, recording a 112-100 victory in their final game before the All-Star break.

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The severity of Antetokounmpo's injury remains unknown for now, but any time missed would be a massive blow for the Bucks, who also lost him to a knee injury for five straight games in January. In 46 games entering Thursday, Antetokounmpo was averaging a career-high 32.5 points per game, an NBA-best 12.3 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game.

Antetokounmpo had been particularly unstoppable since returning from the knee injury, averaging 37.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 5.8 rebounds in 11 games since Jan. 23.

Additionally, the injury raises the possibility of Antetokounmpo missing the All-Star Game on Sunday, in which he's a starter, and he's also scheduled to compete in the Skills Challenge with his brothers Thanasis and Alex on Saturday.

The Bucks officially listed Antetokounmpo has having suffered a sprained wrist after the game. On social media, fans were hopeful the MVP candidate would not miss time with the injury.

Milwaukee are battling with the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, with the Celtics extending their streak in the one-seed thanks to an easy victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. The Celtics improved to 42-17, a NBA-best record and two wins clear of the Bucks, thanks to a game-high 38 points from the returning Jayson Tatum.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, third and fifth were victorious in all-East matchups. Philadelphia held off a fast-finishing Cleveland 118-112, while Brooklyn beat Miami 116-105.

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In Boston, Malcolm Brogdon supported Tatum with 25 points off the bench, and Al Horford added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics who enter the All-Star break with five wins in their last six games.The hosts welcomed back Tatum (illness), Jaylen Brown (facial fracture), Smart (ankle) and Horford (knee) who missed Tuesday's overtime loss at Milwaukee.

In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid scored 29 points - including the 10,000th of his career -and the 76ers (38-19) survived a rocky second half to beat the Cavaliers (38-23). James Harden added 19 points and 12 assists to help the Sixers to a fourth straight victory.

In New York, Australian Ben Simmons scored only two points to go with four rebounds and four assists for Brooklyn in 20 minutes off the bench as they beat Miami. Recent arrival Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 45 points for the Nets, including 17 in the final quarter to blow by his previous career-best of 34 points.

Elsewhere, there were wins for the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers.

In the western conference, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic notched his 21st triple-double of the season as his top-ranked Denver (41-18) claimed a 119-108 home victory over short-handed Dallas (31-29).

Jokic finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists and remains on pace to average a triple-double this season. Luka Doncic had 37 points in leading a banged-up Dallas team that was missing star trade acquisition Kyrie Irving due to lower-back tightness.

Young Australian Josh Green again started for the Mavericks but had a quiet night with six points.

with AAP

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