After missing 15 consecutive games since getting injured in January, Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to make his return against the Boston Celtics on Monday. His return is highly anticipated, as the Bucks have consistently struggled to climb the ladder in hopes of securing a playoff spot.
While there’s no denying that Milwaukee needs Antetokounmpo’s help to try and achieve that, an NBA analyst explained why the team may no longer need his services in the near future.
NBA Analyst Suggests Bucks Should Tank on Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks haven’t necessarily been an impactful team in the Eastern Conference this season. Looking at how they’ve performed so far, the team is currently sitting in 11th place with a 26-33 record. They are three games behind the Charlotte Hornets (30-31).
With only 23 games remaining in their season, the Bucks are pressed for time to make the Play-In Tournament at least. The Hornets and the ninth-placed Atlanta Hawks (31-31) have been on a hot streak since the start of the second half, making it more impossible for Milwaukee to climb efficiently.
However, Antetokounmpo is set to make his return against the Celtics on Monday. This could change the Bucks’ remaining 23 games. Despite a slight chance of hopefully securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament, NBA analyst Tim MacMahon shared his thoughts on the Greek star’s return.
MacMahon suggested that the Bucks should focus on improving their chances in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery this May rather than forcing a playoff run with Antetokounmpo, knowing they’re set to fail.
“What’s the most valuable asset that the Bucks would have to improve in the offseason? It would be a lottery pick,” MacMahon said. “(Antetokounmpo’s return) is not in the Bucks’ best long-term interest. We’re not going to pretend that the Bucks have a chance of doing anything in the playoffs this year… They’re not going to win a single playoff game.”
“This is not in the Bucks best long term interest. … [The Bucks] are not going to win a single playoff game.”@BannedMacMahon shares his thoughts on Giannis coming back from injury for the Bucks 🏀 pic.twitter.com/BZSUZW7Ol7
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 2, 2026
Whatever the case may be, all we can do is wait and see what Antetokounmpo’s return from a 15-game absence would look like for the Bucks. It’s either they force their way into the Play-In Tournament and miraculously achieve a playoff berth, or Antetokounmpo’s presence would prove to be useless in what’s already a sticky situation for the Bucks.
