NBA says investigation into dispute between Bucks and Antetokounmpo is ongoing

MILWAUKEE (AP) — An NBA investigation into the dispute between the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding the two-time MVP’s injury status is ongoing.

The NBA issued a statement offering an update on the investigation Saturday, a day after Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Athletic that he’s healthy and he wants to play.

Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since leaving a March 15 victory over the Indiana Pacers after landing awkwardly on a dunk. The Bucks released an injury report Saturday ruling him out for Sunday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, which will mark the 11th straight game he has missed.

“The NBA’s Player Participation Policy investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo is ongoing and certain facts remain in dispute,” an NBA spokesman said. “The investigation has found that the Bucks scheduled Giannis to work out last week in three-on-three scrimmages as part of his return-to-play process, but he declined to participate. There is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week, and the league is continuing to monitor the situation.”

ESPN first reported that an investigation was taking place.

Since that Indiana game, the Bucks have ruled Antetokounmpo out due to left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise. Antetokounmpo has been participating in pregame warmups lately with no apparent limits.

“I’m healthy,” Antetokounmpo told reporters before the Bucks’ 133-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday. “I hate it when people force me to do things against my nature. I’m a player. I get paid to play.”

The Bucks were eliminated from postseason contention on March 28, snapping their string of nine straight playoff appearances.

Sunday will mark the career-high 42nd game Antetokounmpo has missed this season. He had two extended absences earlier this season due to right calf strains. He also sat out four games early this season with a left adductor strain.

The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo says he’s feeling better now and wants to get back on the floor. He has played his entire 13-year career with Milwaukee, which selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Given his long history with the team, Antetokounmpo said the Bucks should have known he wouldn’t want to be shut down for the season just because their playoff hopes have vanished.

“You know who you’re dealing with,” Antetokounmpo said Friday. “So, for somebody to come and tell me to not play or to not compete, it’s like a slap in my face.”

This dispute comes amid much speculation regarding Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a four-year contract extension worth up to $275 million in October. If he doesn’t sign the extension, Antetokounmpo could become a free agent after the 2026-27 season, or the Bucks could decide to trade him beforehand.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Monday’s game that he wishes this disagreement had been kept between the two parties. Rivers added that “this is a grown man’s game, and it should be handled that way by everybody.”

“I just don’t like that this is so public,” Rivers said. “This is where grown men get in a room and they talk it out. Whether they agree or disagree, that doesn’t matter. But this should not be public, and I don’t like that.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during player introductions before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Injured Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, center right, talks with an official, center left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, talks to the Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd before an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, talks to the Dallas Mavericks' Khris Middleton before an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, talks to the Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd before an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin had his 14th career hat trick and added an assist to become the 23rd player in NHL history to reach 1,400 career points, and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Florida Panthers 9-4 on Saturday to eliminate the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions from playoff contention.

The Panthers began the season hoping to become the first team since the New York Islanders of the early 1980s to win three straight championships. It never came close to happening as injuries and shaky play in net sent them tumbling to the bottom of the standings early in the season, a hole from which they never fully recovered.

While Florida will miss the playoffs for the first time in four years, Pittsburgh is inching toward a return to the postseason after three straight absences.

The Penguins strengthened their hold on second in the Metropolitan Division by blitzing the Panthers during the first half of the second period, pouring in four goals in less than 10 minutes.

Anthony Mantha broke a 2-2 tie with his 31st goal of the season just 1:51 into the second. Malkin then beat Sergei Bobrovsky twice in less than three minutes to create more than enough breathing room.

Erik Karlsson had a goal and three assists for Pittsburgh. Noel Acciari and Elmer Soderblom added a goal and an assist. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby picked up a pair of assists to move past Hall of Famer and childhood idol Steve Yzerman and into seventh place on the NHL's career scoring list (1,756).

Artur Silovs stopped 19 shots for the Penguins and had little work to do after Pittsburgh chased Bobrovsky following Soderblom's third goal in 15 games since being acquired in a trade with Detroit.

The teams meet again Sunday at PPG Paints Arena in a rare back-to-back at the same venue.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) scores on Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs (37) during the first period of an NHL game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)

Florida Panthers goalie Daniil Tarasov (40) allows a goal from Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea during the second period of an NHL game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton (75) moves the puck under pressure from Florida Panthers left wing Noah Gregor (18) during the second period of an NHL game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgenii Malkin (71) is congratulated by right wing Rickard Rakell (67) after scoring his second goal of the game against the Florida Panthers during the second period of an NHL game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea (5) celebratesa goal with right wing Justin Brazeau (16) and defenseman Samuel Girard (49) against the Florida Panthers during the second period of an NHL game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Philip G. Pavely)