Antetokounmpo back in Bucks' lineup for his 27th birthday

Posted December 06, 2021 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves the court after sitting out the game in the team's loss to the Toronto Raptors in an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Toronto. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Giannis Antetokounmpo is celebrating his 27th birthday by returning to the Milwaukee Bucks' lineup after a two-game absence.

The two-time MVP is listed among the Bucks' five starters for their game Monday night with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Antetokounmpo had been listed as questionable due to a sore right calf that knocked him out for the previous two games.

'œWe'll see how he feels when he warms up and determine it,'ť Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Monday before the lineups were released.

The Bucks split the two games Antetokounmpo missed last week.

In their first game without him, the Bucks lost 97-93 at Toronto on Thursday to snap an eight-game winning streak. They rebounded at home two nights later by rolling to a 124-102 victory over Miami.

Antetokounmpo is scoring 27.6 points per game this season to rank second in the NBA, behind Brooklyn's Kevin Durant. He's also averaging 11.8 rebounds and six assists.

Denver's Nikola JokiÄ‡ is the only other NBA player averaging at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists this season.

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Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 127-125. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 127-125. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 127-125. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

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