Eight Games Was Too Long
On December 3rd against Detroit, Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a right calf strain. Eight games later, Milwaukee had fallen to 11th in the Eastern Conference with a brutal 2-6 record in his absence.
Saturday night in Chicago, the Greek Freak returned. And he immediately reminded everyone why he's still one of the five best players on the planet.
"I mean, you're talking about one of the best players all-time, a top 75 type of player," teammate Bobby Portis Jr. said before the game. "His gravity probably creates space on the court, guys building walls and him getting guys open shots."
29 Points in 25 Minutes
Antetokounmpo didn't ease back in. He attacked: 29 points on 10-for-15 shooting, 8 rebounds in just 25 minutes. The efficient performance guided Milwaukee to a 112-103 victory over the Bulls.
His final bucket? A windmill dunk in the closing seconds that sparked a brief confrontation with Chicago players. The message was clear: Giannis is back, and he's not here to be polite about it.
"He's Giannis, so we've been missing him a lot," guard Kevin Porter Jr. said. "When you've got the best player in the world on your team and on the floor, he demands respect."
The Trade Rumors Won't Stop
During his absence, speculation about Antetokounmpo's future reached a fever pitch. Memphis. Detroit. Everywhere.
"This is the most I've been ever talked about in my career," he joked in mid-December. "I'm in my house with my kids and all that and I'm opening the TV and it's like, 'Oh, Giannis is going to the Memphis Grizzlies,' or 'Giannis is going to the Detroit Pistons.' Which, hey man, I'm not going to lie, I'm the hottest chick in the game right now."
The two-time MVP has a year and a half left on his contract before he can opt out. For now, his focus is singular: getting Milwaukee back into playoff contention.
The Road Is Long
The Bucks improve to 13-19 with the win but remain 11th in the East. They're five games behind the sixth-seeded Magic and 76ers.
The problem? Milwaukee is just 4-11 on the road this season. Chicago, which had won five straight, finally lost one.
One thing is certain: with Giannis averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season, the Bucks have the firepower to climb back. Whether his body holds up is the only question that matters.