Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miss Thursday's Game Against Brooklyn Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without their two-time MVP for at least one more game. The team officially ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo with hand soreness for Thursday night's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled OUT for tonight's game vs. the #Nets with right hand soreness.
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) March 9, 2023

Antetokounmpo missed Tuesday's win over the Orlando Magic with a non-COVID illness. He has appeared in 52 of a possible 65 games for the Bucks this season while tallying an NBA-high 38.9 usage rate. He remains one of basketball's most unstoppable forces; his 31.2 points per game are a career-high, and the Bucks' 47-18 record is the best in the NBA.

When Antetokounmpo returns, the Bucks will likely go back to being one of the NBA's true title contenders. The core that won the championship following the 2020-21 season remains intact, and three-time All-Star Khris Middleton is finally rounding into form after missing much of the season with a knee injury: he tied a season-high with 24 points in Tuesday's win over the Magic while sinking five of his nine field goal attempts.

Antetokounmpo's next chance to see the court will be on Saturday night when the Bucks visit the Golden State Warriors.