Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 against Pacers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Game 2 of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night because of a lingering left calf strain.

The two-time MVP also missed Game 1 and the Bucks’ last three regular-season games.

“(He) shot today, was on the floor a bunch,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said during his pregame media session. “He’s getting closer.”

Game 3 is Friday at Indianapolis.

Antetokounmpo was struggling to run up the court in the third quarter of an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics when he grabbed his left calf and took a seat on the floor before eventually heading to the locker room. An MRI revealed the muscle strain.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since.

The Bucks have gone 6-5 in the games Antetokounmpo has missed this season, including a 109-94 Game 1 victory over the Pacers on Sunday night. Damian Lillard picked up the slack by scoring 35 points, all in the first half.