Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to starting lineup vs. Bulls

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a right calf strain on Saturday night, starting against the host Chicago Bulls.

The two-time MVP forward needed to clear pregame testing before he would play for the first time in 24 days, and the team confirmed his availability shortly before the game. Antetokounmpo, who had missed eight games, was expected to be on a minutes restriction. He had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor (1 of 2 from beyond the arc) in his first 10 minutes of action.

The Bucks were 2-6 in Antetokounmpo's absence heading into the clash with the Bulls.

The nine-time All-Star was projected to miss two to four weeks after sustaining the injury in the first quarter of a Dec. 3 win against the Detroit Pistons.

After tiptoeing along the baseline and dishing a pass to AJ Green for a layup, Antetokounmpo started to run back on defense when he fell to the floor in the paint. He needed assistance to leave the court with nine minutes left in the opening period.

Antetokounmpo, 31, has struggled to stay on the floor this season due to injuries and has missed 14 of Milwaukee's 31 games. He is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.

--Field Level Media