Report: Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to return vs. Celtics

Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be back in action for the first time since January when Milwaukee hosts the Boston Celtics on Monday, ESPN reported.

Antetokounmpo is still officially listed as questionable on the Bucks' injury report.

The 31-year-old has missed 15 games since straining his right calf on Jan. 23. He has missed 29 games total this season while dealing with the ongoing calf injury.

It will be the first time Antetokounmpo takes the court since the Feb. 5 league trade deadline passed without a move despite both sides exploring other options for the future. Since then, he has said he will not request a trade.

"As of today, I'm committed to the Milwaukee Bucks," Antetokounmpo told ESPN in an interview that aired Feb. 15.

"I'm committed to the people that I work with, my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc (Rivers) and (general manager) Jon (Horst) in the front office. What I've said from the beginning of this year is that, out of my mouth and the way I've carried myself, you will never hear me say I don't want to be a Milwaukee Buck."

The Bucks have gone 8-7 in Antetokounmpo's absence and sit three games out of the final Eastern Conference play-in spot for the postseason.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 30 starts this season.

A two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star who led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years in 2021, he is the franchise's all-time leader in games (889), points (21,377), rebounds (8,831), assists (4,456) and blocked shots (1,086).

--Field Level Media