PORTLAND (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday that 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo remains sidelined by a left knee injury that has kept him out of five games.
“He's progressing, he's just not healthy,” Rivers said.
Antetokounmpo’s status has been tied to the debate over tanking and the player participation policy. The Bucks have lost 11 of their last 14 games and their chances of making the playoffs are slim.
The National Basketball Players Association on Tuesday issued a statement that appeared to call out the Bucks. The statement followed reports that Antetokounmpo wants to return.
“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in a statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked."
Rivers was clear before Wednesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers that Antetokounmpo was not being held out. The two-time NBA MVP hurt his knee in the third quarter of a game against the Pacers on March 15.
“We’re just trying to get Giannis clear and healthy,” Rivers said. “That’s our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.”
The Bucks have lost three of their last four without Antetokounmpo, who is listed as out with a hyperextension of his left knee and a bone bruise. There was no timetable for his return.
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo watches the warmup session before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Norman Powell scored 19 points, Tyler Herro added 18 and the Miami Heat got contributions from everyone while stopping a five-game losing skid with a 120-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
As healthy as they've been all season, the Heat squandered a 17-point lead in the third quarter before recovering in the fourth. Miami led by nine with five minutes left before Bam Adebayo converted a three-point play and Kel'el Ware scored on a layup in an 11-second span.
Adebayo finished with 17 points, Ware had 13 points and 11 rebounds and the Heat had eight players score in double figures. The Heat will stay in Cleveland and play the Cavaliers again on Friday.
Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points before fouling out in the final minutes for the Cavs, whose winning streak ended at four. James Harden and Sam Merrill scored 18 apiece.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson was hoping for a better defensive effort from his team, which gave up 131 points against Orlando on Tuesday. Atkinson believes the Cavs are capable of more, but said they need to “make the shift in mentality” with the playoffs nearing.
The Heat, with one of the NBA's most potent offenses, were a good test and they controlled most of the first three quarters. Miami made 13 3-pointers while opening a 21-point lead in the first half.
Center Jarrett Allen missed his 10th straight game for the Cavs, who haven't been fully healthy all season. The latest injury came in warmups as forward Dean Wade rolled his right ankle when he stepped on a ballboy's foot. Wade has started 36 games.
The teams meet Friday for the fourth and final time this season.
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, shoots over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'qwan Tomlin (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell goes up for a shot next to Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) grabs a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
