Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been replaced by Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young in the upcoming 2025 NBA All-Star Game, as reported by ESPN Senior Reporter Shams Charania.
Atlanta’s Trae Young has replaced Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2025
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Antetokounmpo will miss at least the next week due to a left calf strain, ruling him out for the upcoming All-Star Game.
The two-time MVP had already been absent from the Bucks’ 135-127 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, and now it’s clear he will also miss upcoming games against the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving him out for six straight contests.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers emphasized the team’s cautious approach, saying, “We’ve just been monitoring it, and it just hasn’t improved enough for us to play him. If this was a playoff game, would he play? Probably yes. But this is not. And we want to make sure he’s ready for the playoffs.”
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Antetokounmpo, who had been selected for his ninth consecutive All-Star Game, will not be able to represent the East in this year’s showcase.
Though he’s expected to return shortly after the All-Star break, sources suggest his recovery could take longer, potentially sidelining him for two to three weeks.
The injury comes at a tough time for the Bucks, who have struggled without their star forward. They’ve dropped two of the three games he’s missed, part of a larger slump in which they’ve lost six of their last eight games.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the East, Milwaukee is only two games ahead of the seventh-place Miami Heat, making the race for playoff positioning even tighter.
This calf injury raises concerns, especially given Antetokounmpo’s history with lower-leg issues. He missed Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series last year due to a left soleus strain. While there’s no definitive timeline for his return, the Bucks are prioritizing caution to avoid further damage.
In the wake of his absence, Young has been selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace Antetokounmpo in the All-Star Game. This marks Young’s fourth All-Star appearance in just seven seasons, following his selection last year as well.
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