Bucks Announce Surprise Injury Update on Giannis Antetokounmpo for Knicks Game

Oct 28, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) reach for a loose ball in the 3rd quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have announced a surprise injury update on nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of their Emirates NBA Cup showdown against the New York Knicks on Friday night.

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Milwaukee has revealed via its official X account that Antetokounmpo will return to the hardwood after missing the last four games (during which the Bucks have gone 0-4) with a left groin strain. As Marc Stein of The Stein Line notes, Black Friday's festivities will be broadcast via Amazon Prime Video.

The Bucks say Giannis Antetokounmpo returns tonight at Madison Square Garden -- and on @NBAonPrime -- after missing four consecutive games with a left adductor strain. https://t.co/IlSiHwo5tZ

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 28, 2025

The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. CT, but there will be a 4 p.m. pregame show.

Devout hoop heads may want to tune in to that pregame show. Former Grantland/ESPN analyst Zach Lowe, now with The Ringer's podcast network, returns to NBA studio broadcasting on Monday.

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Lowe will be in attendance both ahead of the Bucks-Knicks clash and then in an encore appearance following the Los Angeles Lakers' latest showdown against their beloved recent trade partners, the Dallas Mavericks.

I'm joining the @PrimeVideo crew for pre-game ahead of Knicks-Bucks -- and again for the late-night crew after Mavs-Lakers. Dirk is already making fun of my shirt. Tune in!

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 28, 2025

Antetokounmpo, when available, remains an absolute one-man wrecking crew. In 13 healthy bouts for the Bucks this year so far, the five-time All-Defensive Teamer has been averaging 31.2 points on .629/.500/.636 shooting splits, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists (a career high), 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a night.

Per the Bucks' latest pregame injury report, Antetokounmpo's little brother Alex — a two-way signing — will continue to get reps with the Bucks' NBAGL affiliate squad, the Wisconsin Herd.

Injury Update: Giannis Antetokounmpo is available for tonight’s game at New York.

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 28, 2025

Bucks starting point guard Kevin Porter, who's played all of one game this season for the 8-11 Bucks, remains on the mend from a right knee meniscus surgery. 3-and-D forward Taurean Prince is still recovery from a neck surgery to address a herniated disc.

Knicks Could Cause Trouble

Milwaukee is angling to avoid its seventh consecutive defeat overall, but the 11-6 Knicks are the superior team, and fairly healthy so far this year. Under the tutelage of new head coach Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year with two different franchises, New York has been employing a more egalitarian offense than it did under former head coach Tom Thiboduea.

While All-NBA Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson remains the club's leading scorer, six of his teammates averaging 10 or more points.

For more news and notes on the Milwaukee Bucks, visit Milwaukee Bucks on SI.