ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 29: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is helped off the court after being injured on a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at State Farm Arena on June 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks traveled down to Atlanta for game four of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals with a 2-1 lead. Then, NBA insiders reported that Atlanta's star point guard, Trae Young, would be sidelined due to a bone bruise in his right foot. Leading up to the pivotal playoff game, all signs appeared to point toward a Bucks victory. However, that is not entirely what went down.
The Hawks shot out to an early lead in game four behind an impressive performance from Atlanta native, Lou Williams. As a result, the Hawks headed into the locker room at halftime with a 13-point lead. In part due to a poor three-point shooting performance from the Bucks, the Hawks lead grew to 21 points in the third quarter. Then, things went from bad to worse for the Bucks. Two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, jumped up to a contest a shot from John Collins, but he landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled.
"It just looked like their legs got tangled up," Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said.
"They both landed awkwardly. That's what I saw live. I haven't seen anything else."
Antentokounmpo laid on the ground for a few moments before his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, helped him off of the court. The Bucks forward remained out of the game as his team fell 110-88 in game four of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.
Thus far, nine NBA All-Stars have missed at least one game during the 2021 NBA Playoffs. If Antetokounmpo misses game five, he would be the 10th NBA All-Star to miss a game this postseason and the third during this round of the playoffs. Young and former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard have also missed games during the conference finals.
Game five of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals is set to take place on July 1 in Milwaukee.
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