NBA, union looking into the Bucks’ sidelining of Giannis Antetokounmpo

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have been having conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo about the star’s availability to play following a knee injury he suffered March 15 , multiple league sources have told the Journal Sentinel. Antetokounmpo, as well as multiple members of the organization’s staff, have been interviewed about the hyperextension and bone bruise he sustained to his left knee following an awkward landing after a dunk. Beginning March 17, Antetokounmpo has been ruled out by the team for those injuries but he has maintained he has been healthy enough to play.

On March 24, the union issued a statement that it wished the league would enforce its own policies regarding player participation. On March 25, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would look into the matter. MUST READ: Giannis Antetokounmpo to Milwaukee Bucks: ‘I want to [expletive] play’ Conversations have persisted since, though a league source told the Journal Sentinel the union feels the process toward finding a resolution should be moving more quickly.

It’s something Antetokounmpo clearly believes. “I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game,” he said before the Bucks played the Boston Celtics on April 3. “I'm available to play [April 3].

Right now. I'm available. Do I look like I'm not available?