Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Leaves Game After Awkward Landing on Dunk

The two-time MVP exited Milwaukee's win over the Pacers with a potential knee injury.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:45am

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, the star player for the Milwaukee Bucks, left Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers after landing awkwardly on a dunk late in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo briefly remained in the game but then headed to the locker room and did not return. Bucks coach Doc Rivers said he believed Antetokounmpo may have hyperextended his knee, but the player said he was not planning on getting imaging and was hopeful he would be able to play in the team's next game.

Why it matters

Antetokounmpo is the Bucks' franchise player and a two-time NBA MVP. Any significant injury to him would be a major blow to Milwaukee's championship aspirations this season. The Bucks have already been dealing with Antetokounmpo missing a career-high 31 games due to various injuries, so his health is a major concern for the team and its fans.

The details

In the third quarter, Antetokounmpo completed a dunk but landed awkwardly. He remained in the game and even dunked on the next possession, but then headed to the locker room after attempting two free throws. Bucks coach Doc Rivers speculated that Antetokounmpo may have hyperextended his knee, but the player said he was not planning on getting imaging and was hopeful he could play in the team's next game.

  • The incident occurred late in the third quarter of the Bucks' 134-123 victory over the Pacers on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The star player for the Milwaukee Bucks and a two-time NBA MVP.

Doc Rivers

The head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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What they’re saying

“My guess is he hyperextended his knee, but I'm guessing.”

— Doc Rivers, Head Coach, Milwaukee Bucks

“I'm just going to go back home, sleep, see how I feel tomorrow, try to lift some weights. If I have a little bit of discomfort, then I'll go from there. As of now, I'm not really bothered.”

— Giannis Antetokounmpo

What’s next

The Bucks will monitor Antetokounmpo's condition and provide updates on his status ahead of the team's next game.

The takeaway

Giannis Antetokounmpo's health is crucial for the Bucks' championship aspirations, so any injury concerns will be closely watched by the team and its fans. The Bucks have already dealt with Antetokounmpo missing a significant number of games this season due to various ailments.