Bucks rule out star Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) vs. Hornets

The Milwaukee Bucks downgraded All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo from questionable to out for Wednesday night's road game against the Charlotte Hornets because of a left knee injury.

Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, is dealing with left knee patellar tendinopathy, the Bucks said on Wednesday.

Milwaukee last played on Monday, with Antetokounmpo scoring 15 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter of a 116-114 road victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He added eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal in 37 minutes.

Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in scoring average (33.4), field goals per game (12.9), 2-pointers made (12.1) and attempted (18.9) and free-throw attempts (10.8).

He is averaging 11.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.

Milwaukee also ruled out Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee meniscus surgery), who has been sidelined since spraining his left ankle in the season opener, and Taurean Prince (herniated disk in neck). Charlotte is without LaMelo Ball (right ankle impingement) and Brandon Miller (left shoulder subluxation).

The Bucks face the Hornets again on Friday in Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Saturday.

Antetokounmpo, 30, was voted league MVP in 2019 and 2020. A nine-time All-Star, he's a seven-time first-team All-NBA selection and also led the Bucks to the 2021 league championship.

--Field Level Media