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       #Post#: 46--------------------------------------------------
        Giannis Antetokounmpo still not ruled out for Game 5 despite
       sprained ankle
   DIR By: The Referee
       Date: September 7, 2020, 8:56 pm
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       Eric Woodyard
       ESPN
       Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable for
       Game 5 after he reinjured his sprained right ankle in the first
       half of Game 4, but he certainly will try to suit up -- if
       possible.
       The Milwaukee Bucks now trail 3-1 to the Miami Heat in their
       Eastern Conference semifinals series after rallying for an
       overtime win Sunday without Antetokounmpo.
       "Giannis is, like we've said, he's just getting treatment around
       the clock, doing everything he can to make himself available,"
       said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer following Monday's practice.
       "On the court, we walked through a couple defensive things, a
       couple offensive things, just kinda stationary in the half
       court; he was able to participate in that. But -- I think it
       wasn't much, so I wouldn't read too much into that."
       After Antetokounmpo twisted his ankle at the 10:18 mark of the
       second quarter while driving to the paint, his Bucks teammate
       George Hill witnessed his will to win firsthand.
       "The crazy part -- like yesterday when he twisted his ankle
       again for the second time, and he's laying on the floor -- the
       competitive nature kicks in," Hill said. "And we go over there
       and the first thing he said was, 'I should've dunked it.' That
       just shows you he's trying to lay it all out on the line for us,
       and we've gotta do the same for him."
       Before any decisions are made, the Bucks sports performance
       group will closely evaluate Antetokounmpo. Besides focusing on
       his availability for the series, Milwaukee is also assessing the
       situation for the long-term so that it won't become anything
       more serious.
       After leaving Game 4, Antetokounmpo was encouraging the Bucks to
       tape up his right ankle and let him return -- but he couldn't
       plant or jump off the sprain, sources told ESPN's Adrian
       Wojnarowski. He has never missed a playoff game in his career.
       "I mean, I know how hard he's gonna work. I know how hard our
       sports performance group's gonna work. It's just impossible to
       say, but I guess, yeah, there's hope," Budenholzer said. "We're
       not ruling him out; so I guess until he's ruled out, you have
       hope. Again, he's gonna do everything he can to make himself
       available, and we'll just see how the next 30 hours go."
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