Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury History | Major Injuries Giannis Antetokonmpo sustained in the NBA

Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo, famously known as “The Greek Freak,” is a professional basketball player who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA as of November 2024. Standing at an impressive 6’11”, he defies traditional basketball expectations with his unique ability to move like a guard while commanding the court with a power forward’s physicality. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Antetokounmpo 15th overall in the first round of the 2013 NBA draft. Despite being eliminated in the first round that year, the young Greek player would go on to become the franchise’s cornerstone. His commitment to the team was solidified by signing a record-breaking five-year contract worth $228.2 million in 2021.

Antetokounmpo has secured two MVP awards, the 2021 NBA Finals MVP, seven All-Star selections, and five All-NBA First Team honors. Also, he won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and earning four All-Defensive First Team selections. In the 2023-24 season, he continues to dominate, averaging 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Before his NBA stardom, Antetokounmpo played for Filathlitikos in the Greek B Basket League during the 2011-12 season. Representing Greece has been a source of pride for Antetokounmpo. He began with the Greek Under-20 national team and transitioned to the senior men’s national team in 2014. Between 2014 and 2024, he has played 37 official games in major FIBA tournaments, including notable appearances in EuroBasket 2015, 2022, and the 2024 Summer Olympics. His inclusion in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 further cemented his status as one of basketball’s all-time greats, a recognition that speaks volumes about his impact on the sport.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury History

Since getting drafted in the 2013 NBA Draft, Giannis Antetokounmpo has demonstrated remarkable durability, with knee injuries being the primary medical challenge throughout his career. Despite his high-intensity playing style, he has remarkably avoided major long-term injuries, with only two significant knee incidents causing him to miss a total of 11 games in his entire NBA career.

As per Spotrac, below are all the injuries that Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered in his NBA career:

Major injuries sustained by Giannis Antetokounmpo in his NBA career

Knee Injury (April 2021)

As per Journal Sentinal, in April 2021, Giannis experienced a notable knee issue that sidelined him for six consecutive games. The injury reportedly originated during a March 20 game and was further aggravated during warmups against Portland on April 7, despite Antetokounmpo scoring an impressive 47 points in that game. During this period, the Milwaukee Bucks maintained a balanced 3-3 record in his absence.

Before the six-game absence, Giannis had already missed two additional games in March (on the 22nd and 27th). Upon returning, he was initially restricted to playing less than 30 minutes per game for the subsequent two matches.

Knee Injury (January 2023)

According to The Sporting News, another significant knee injury occurred during a game against the Miami Heat in January 2023. Late in the first quarter, Antetokounmpo left the game after reportedly knocking knees with an opponent. Already managing a pre-existing wrist injury, he signaled to the bench and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a right knee issue.

His performance that season remained outstanding, averaging 32.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 53.3% and a 3-point shooting percentage of 25.3%.