David Chao, MD
2 min read • July 06, 2023
Posted in
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo recently underwent a cleanup procedure in his left knee, ruling him out of the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup. However, the former NBA MVP is expected to make a full recovery in time for the next NBA season.
According to our panel of doctors, Antetokounmpo's recent surgery signals a concerning trend for his knee. He dealt with the management of the condition throughout the previous season and will likely face similar challenges this year.
Antetokounmpo's knee issues pose a significant threat to his longevity and ability to perform at a high level of play deep into his career. Given the decline of his knees, it would be surprising to see him play well until age 38 like LeBron James.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled to take place from Aug 25 to Sept 10 across the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, will have to proceed without the Greek forward's presence.
The Bucks' Khris Middleton, Antetokounmpo's teammate, also faced knee troubles last season, causing him to miss 33 games. The management of these two-star players with ailing knee injuries will be an intriguing aspect to observe.
Last season, Antetokounmpo was sidelined for a total of 11 games due to knee soreness and missed an additional two games in the NBA playoffs due to a lower back contusion.
At 29 years old, Antetokounmpo's history of various injuries raises concerns, particularly for a player of his height, standing at nearly 7 feet. His playing time has not exceeded an average of 36 minutes per game since the 2017-18 season, and it is unlikely to do so again in the near future.
Written by David Chao, MD
