Lakers vs Bucks Clash Receives Final Decision on Giannis Antetokounmpo

Mar 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) attempts to block Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are gearing up for their second game in as many nights, each coming off Friday night victories.

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Milwaukee's best player, nine-time All-NBA superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, had been downgraded as merely probable to suit up through his lingering left knee patellar tendinopathy.

Now, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the two-time league MVP has been upgraded and will suit up.

Per Bucks PR, Giannis Antetokounmpo is available for tonight’s game vs. the Lakers. https://t.co/J3JAvZpsNu

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 16, 2025

As Nehm had reported an hour prior to this news, head coach Doc Rivers indicated that he felt Antetokounmpo would "probably" join his comrades in the Fiserv Forum clash against the visiting Lakers.

Milwaukee will of course be without both starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who's on the mend from a meniscus surgery, and 3-and-D reserve wing Taurean Prince, who quietly underwent neck surgery to treat a herniated disc there. Two-way Bucks signings Alex Antetokounmpo — Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo's little brother — Pete Nance are both away from Milwaukee, putting in reps with the team's G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

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The Bucks would be hard-pressed offensively without Antetokounmpo, who has taken on more of a playmaking role in the absence of an All-Star ball handling teammate this year. He dished out 18 dimes on Friday night during the Bucks' 147-134 overtime win over LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets.

Across 11 healthy games for the 8-5 Bucks, Antetokounmpo has been averaging 32.6 points on .632/.471/.622 shooting splits, 11.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals a night.

LA's Road Trip Progress Report

Los Angeles is playing its final tilt in a five-game road trip slate on Saturday night (LA has gone 2-2 so far), and will briefly return home to Crypto.com Arena to host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. The Lakers will then get to enjoy a five-day break, before traveling to Utah for a rematch next Sunday, Nov. 23.

The Lakers, also playing on the second night of a back-to-back (they beat the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, 118-104, compelling Pelicans ownership to fire head coach Willie Green), are missing several key cogs themselves. 21-time All-NBA superstar power forward LeBron James (right side sciatica), power forward Rui Hachimura (sore left calf), three-time All-Defensive Team guard Marcus Smart (viral illness) and guard Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) are all on the shelf.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.