Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Wednesday’s game against the Hornets with what the Bucks listed as patellar tendinopathy in his left knee, but head coach Doc Rivers made it clear that the decision was largely precautionary.
Speaking before the game, Rivers said the team had targeted this matchup as a potential rest day due to a demanding stretch in the schedule.
“What are we, five games in seven days?” the coach said. “It’s just a lot. And we looked at this before it all started – this was the game, if we were going to sit him, just because it was right in the middle and it gives him four days off.”
Rivers added that he personally pushed for Giannis to sit, noting that the call wasn’t easy.
“This one was a little rough because we weren’t sure. I know I wanted him to sit. I asked him before shootaround, trying to talk him into not playing, which is rare for me. But it just felt like health-wise, this is the right decision.”
Antetokounmpo has been dominant to begin the season, averaging 33.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 32.9 minutes over his first 10 games. This was just his second absence of the year.
Milwaukee managed fine without him in a win over Golden State on October 30, but the Bucks weren’t as fortunate on Wednesday, falling to the Hornets and dropping to 7–5 on the season.
Central Notes: Giannis, Pacers, Ball, Porter, Essengue https://t.co/CtpENE4JoH pic.twitter.com/dXU5k5SycX
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 13, 2025
