NBA Investigating Bucks Over Giannis Antetokounmpo Availability Dispute

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has informed the league it does not believe Antetokounmpo is genuinely ready or willing to return, sources told Charania. Antetokounmpo spoke directly to the conflict before Friday's game in Milwaukee. I'm available to play, but I'm not in the game, he told reporters. I'm available to play today. Right now. I'm available. He went further when addressing the organization's position. For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it's like a slap in my face, Antetokounmpo said. So, I don't know where the relationship goes from there. Antetokounmpo has missed 10 consecutive games with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise suffered March 15 against Indiana. Sources told Charania shortly after the injury that the Bucks wanted to shut him down for the remainder of the season and that he refused. Doc Rivers said last week that Antetokounmpo had not even practiced, though team sources indicate he has been conducting increasingly intense pregame workouts before home games as a show of readiness. The National Basketball Players Association issued a public rebuke of Milwaukee late last month, with a statement implying the franchise is tanking and damaging the league's integrity. The Bucks were eliminated from playoff contention on March 28, marking their first postseason absence since 2016. Antetokounmpo, 31, has appeared in just 36 games this season, by far the fewest of his career, dealing with two calf strains, an adductor strain and the knee hyperextension. Milwaukee has five regular-season games remaining and currently have the 10th best lottery odds. Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded by the Bucks this offseason if he declines to commit to a five-year, 275 million extension he becomes eligible to sign in October.